Nov. 1, 2002

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

The University of Wyoming cross country teams competed at the Mountain West Championship today on the campus of BYU in Provo, Utah. The Cowgirls hustled their way to a 5th place team finish while the Cowboys took 6th.

Sophomore Ashley Mecham was the first Cowgirl to cross the finish line in the women's 6-kilometer race finishing 27th with a time of 23:05. Other Cowgirl finishers were freshman Elena Helmerick who placed 30th with a personal best time of 23:11, senior Stephanie Hanks (23:23, 35th), sophomore Natalie Kean (23:35, 40th), sophomore Jennifer Thompson (24:11, 45th), junior Cathy Cooper (24:13, 46th), and freshman Emeral Reid (24:23, 50th).

The defending National Champion lady cougars of BYU took home the team title by sweeping the top six places.

The Cowboys were paced sophomore Amasa Mecham who turned in a season best 25:48 and a 32nd place finish. Following Mecham was freshman Brian Knight finishing 35th with a personal best time of 25:54, freshman Brian Harnisch finished on the heals of Knight placing 36th with a time of 26:05. Other Cowboys that competed were freshman Michael Huntington (29:19, 40th), junior Jason Delany (27:35, 45th), sophomore Arte Huhn (27:39, 46th), junior Joel Hess (27:50, 47th), freshman Troy Hernandez (27:51, 48th) and sophomore Jeremy Thompson (28:27, 49th).

BYU also took home the men's team title, as the Cougars placed all of their runners in the top 15 places.

"I thought some of our kids were a bit off today," said Wyoming head cross country coach Jim Sanchez following the races. "Our younger girls ran outstanding but we lost points again with our number five runners. I am pleased though that we improved a spot from last years performance. I think our guys were a little overwhelmed with the course and the intensity of some of the other runners and that costed us, but that is due to lack of experience and because so many of them are so young."

Team Results
Men				Women
1. BYU		37		1. BYU		15
2. CSU		42		2. CSU		63
3. New Mexico	72		3. Air Force	98
4. Air Force	94		4. Utah		104
5. Utah		111		5. Wyoming	167
6. Wyoming	173		6. New Mexico	173
				7. SDSU		176
				8. UNLV		190