BYU men's cross country wins MWC; women's 19-year win streak ends

October 29, 2007

Provo, UT (CSTV U-WIRE) -- BYU men's cross country team defended its Mountain West Conference title in Albuquerque on Saturday, earning a fourth championship title in four years. Ed Eyestone, who coaches the men's team, was named MWC Coach of the Year.

The Cougars scored 46 points, followed by New Mexico with 51, Air Force 52, CSU 105, Wyoming 118 and TCU 167. The meet was run at the University of New Mexico North Golf Course due to the fires in California.

The women's team came in second in its race against Colorado State, breaking a nineteen-year winning streak at the MWC Championships.

"That's a hard thing when you're used to winning. For me, for the athletes, for the program," women's coach Patrick Shane said.

Colorado State scored 33 points followed by BYU with 39, New Mexico 94, Wyoming 118, Utah 130, Air Force 160, UNLV 204, TCU 204 and San Diego State 229.

Dustin Bybee came in first for the Cougar men and third overall with a time of 24:55. Chandler Goodwin was fifth overall in 25:00 and Tyrel Jensen at 25:03 came in seventh.

"I was pleased with our efforts," coach Eyestone said. "I thought the guys really stepped up."

Eyestone said he was particularly pleased with some of the men who had the opportunity to step up for the team Saturday as Stephan Shay, the team's top runner, had to be pulled from the race when his back tightened up.

Derek Taylor ran fourth for the BYU team, higher than he has ever before according to Eyestone, and earned himself a post on the All-MWC second team. Bybee, Goodwin and Jensen all made the all-conference first team.

Katie Bowen and Angela Wagner led the BYU women, coming in third and fourth overall with times of 21:28 and 21:33, respectively. They both made the All-MWC first team.

"I'll tell you this: I'm proud of my young women," coach Shane said about the entire women's team. "We did our best, and that's all we can ever do."

(C) 2007 The Daily Universe via CSTV U-WIRE