MWC photo/Wyoming junior Emily ByraOREM, Utah -- The University of Wyoming cross country teams had a pair of fifth-place finishes at the 2009 Mountain West Conference Championships at the Cascade Golf Course on Saturday afternoon.
The University of New Mexico won the team titles on both the men’s side and women’s side with a total of 29 and 24 points respectively. The Cowboys finished fifth with a total of 132 points, while the Cowgirls also finished fifth but with a total of 165 points.
The Cowboys were led by junior Taylor Kelting with his 8k time of 25 minutes, 34 seconds, good for 24th place. Sophomore Greg Miller was recovering from a bruised foot that he injured a couple weeks ago and ran a very solid race for the ‘Pokes, with his 26th-place finish and time of 25:43. Sophomore Ryan Griesbach and freshman Nik Deininger were not far behind with their 30th and 33rd-place finishes respectively.
“We were looking to finish in the top-four which was a little disappointing,” said head coach Randy Cole. “Greg (Miller) was unable to run to his standard but still put in quite the effort for us today. Taylor (Kelting) picked up the pace for us and ran probably his best race as a Cowboy today.”
On the women’s side, junior Emily Byra led the charge for the Cowgirls, as she finished in 26th place with her time in the 6k race of 22:47. Senior Erin Heffron and junior Francis Gipson were not far behind as they finished in 35th and 36th respectively. Freshman Brooke Hughes ran a solid race with her 39th-place finish and time of 23:30, while junior Alysha Davis crossed the tape in 42nd place.
“Emily (Byra) ran a very smart progressive race and on the women’s side we knew it was going to be a battle,” said Cole. “Both teams are very young and it was a great atmosphere for them, and I really believe that with one more year of training they can be up towards the top battling for a title.”
Up next for the Cowboys and Cowgirls will be the NCAA Mountain Regionals in Albuquerque on Nov. 14.
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