The Wyoming Cross Country team started their season off Saturday by sweeping the Aggie Invite where both Men’s and Women’s teams won in Logan, Utah.
“We said this week that this was a meet we should win, but both teams went out and dominated toady,” Wyoming head coach Bryan Berryhill said. “That was exciting to see.”
Senior, Holly Page, highlighted the trip by winning the women’s 5k race with a time of 19:10. She ran at a 6:10 pace. Page was 19 seconds ahead of her fellow teammates and the rest of the field. It was also her third individual crown of her career.
Behind page the Cowgirls captured second, third, fourth and sixth place honors. Coming in second was Sophomore Ali Walker who finished with a time of 19:29. Not far behind her was Junior Audra DeStefano who crossed with a time of 19:31. Placing fourth was Freshman Kerry White who clocked in with a time of 19:32. Sophomore Megan Brunette concluded the Cowgirl scorers by placing sixth with a time of 19:35.
“This was one of the best efforts I’ve seen out of the girls in the three years I’ve been here,” said Berryhill. “The girls ran with a lot of confidence and that will go a long ways when we get into the championship potion of our season.”
Headlining the men’s side was Junior Aaron Derner who finished second overall in the 8k race with a time of 20:45. He ran at a 4:11 pace. Derner was just three seconds behind first place finisher, Utah Valley Junior Jason Lynch.
Following Derner and placing fourth for the Cowboys was Junior Amos Bowen with a time of 21:09. Crossing the line sixth with a time of 21:15 was Junior Dylan Morlin. Right behind him placing seventh was Junior Mike Seas who clocked in with a time of 21:16. Trailing him was Freshman Jonah Henry who finished ninth with a time of 21:26. After that it was sophomore Michael Rotellini who placed 19th with a time of 22:18. Rounding out the Cowboy scorers was sophomore Alex Pawlak who placed 20th with a time of 22:22.
“The men’s overall team performance was phenomenal,” said Berryhill. “Our 4-5 runners competed well today and we know that will be the difference for us this year.”
The Cowgirls won the invite with a team score of 16, a near perfect score for Cross Country. The second place team of Utah Valley was 29 points behind the Cowgirls with a score of 45. Placing third was Utah State with a score of 64.
The Cowboys won with a team score of 23. The second place team of Utah State was 19 points behind the Cowboys with a score of 44. Utah Valley placed third with 53 points.
Other notable Cowgirl finishers were Freshman Quinn DeStefano with a time of 20:44, Sophomore Cassidy Meade crossed the line with a time of 21:06, and Sophomore Catherine Cloetta ran a time of 21:31.
Other notable Cowboy finishers were Sophomore Michael Kesy who ran a 22:55 and Sophomore Garret Westlake with a time of 23:22.
Wyoming’s next meet will be the September 20th in Bozemon, Mont. at the Montana State Invite.
