Early Saturday morning, Sept. 13, the University of Wyoming Track and Field team put on the 13th annual Always a Cowboy 8k.
The Always a Cowboy 8k is meant to remember the eight Cross Country runners who were hit by a drunk driver in Sept. 2001. It is now an annual event for the Laramie community.
“I think it’s just a great way to honor those eight individuals and bring everyone together. It’s a great thing for the track team, because it’s like a family event. I think it’s great for the community and our team too,” said track and field head coach Bryan Berryhill.
After a moment of silence for the eight, University President Dick McGinity shot the gun and the runners were off. As the race came to an end, Nick Schabron (brother of one of the eight) won the race for the men’s competition, and Abi Beaver for the women’s. When runners crossed the finish line, they were greeted to cheers from the public and the entire U.W. Track team.
“We had about the same number of competitors out as we did last year, and we had a ton of people out here cheering as well as the whole track and field team making some noise and cheering everyone that came in.” said assistant track coach Amanda Clower. “It was an awesome turnout.”
As things came to a close, runners from the university and all over the community talked and shared stories about their experiences.
“I think this race just means tradition, and having the alumni come back and seeing runners new and old coming together and remembering the tradition of our team and what makes us who we are [as a community]” said Abi Beaver.
“It brings everyone together and in great spirts, that’s the neat thing about the always a cowboy 8k,” said Coach Berryhill.
