Cross Country Runners Headed for Mountain Region Championships
10/30/2001 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Oct. 30, 2001
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. - After taking this week off from competition, head coach Mark Stanforth and assistant coach Captain Jennifer Lyons will take the Academy's men and women's cross country teams to the Mountain Region Championships in Provo, Utah on Nov. 11.
Last year, the Falcons finished sixth in the men's 10,000 meters. David Romero who finished 18th earned all-region honors. The women's team finished ninth in the 6K. Romero earned first-team all-conference two weeks ago at the Mountain West Conference Championships.
"This year's women's race could be our team's breakthrough race," commented head coach Mark Stanforth. "The men's 10,000 meters is Albert Kelly's race and he should do well at regionals."
The teams to watch are Colorado, the top ranked school in the nation, and Northern Arizona (10th ranked), Brigham Young and Air Force are both ranked in the top 10, Utah State has not beaten anybody yet and are second to Santa Barbara.
"In the Pre-NCAA, Colorado and Air Force finished 23 seconds apart and were the only two teams to have runners finish in the top 50. If it all comes out in the right order, Air Force will have a shot at the NCAAs," said Stanforth.
In 2000, the men's sixth-place finish earned the team a berth to the 'big dance' to the NCAA Division I Championships. It was Air Force's third trip to nationals. The Falcons are looking for trip No. 4 on Nov. 19 in Greenville, S.C.
