SALT LAKE CITY — The BYU women’s cross country team won the NCAA Mountain Region Championships to claim its spot in the NCAA Championships and the men’s team gave a competitive case for an at-large bid by placing third on Friday at Rose Park Golf Course.
The women competed in the 6k race followed by the men who ran in the 10k.
Prior to the NCCA Mountain Region Championships, both teams were named West Coast Conference Champions and had strong performances at the Pre-National Invitational.
The No. 2 BYU men’s team finished third at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships with a score of 56 points. The Cougars ran in the top pack with No. 1 Northern Arizona and No. 3 Colorado. They competed against two other top-25 teams including No. 20 Utah State and No. 25 Colorado State. Including Friday’s finish, performances in this season’s races put the men’s team in a good position for an at-large selection announced in the NCAA Selection Show.
“I think it was a really good day for us because we accomplished the goals that we made,” BYU head coach Ed Eyestone said. “We wanted to advance and do it without hurting our chances for next week. We know that NAU and Colorado are very good teams and we were happy to run with them.”
All-American Conner Mantz finished first for the No. 3 men’s team and third overall in the 10k race with a time of 30:32.6. Two more Cougars claimed spots in the top 10 with Jacob Heslington (30:43.3) in eighth and Danny Carney (30:44.3) in 10th. Both Connor Weaver (30:50.0) and Michael Ottesen (31:05.9) ran career-best times to place 13th and 21st, respectively.
To round out the team’s finish, Zac Jacklin (31:22.1) took 29th and Kramer Morton (31:41.8) placed 44th. Those finishing in the top 25 were all-region honorees.
“We did everything we needed to do to advance, and I think the men will have some zip in their legs for next week,” Eyestone said.
Men’s Team Notables
- BYU men’s cross country placed third with a score of 56 points
- All-American Conner Mantz took fourth place overall and finished first for the Cougars
- Connor Weaver (30:50.0) and Michael Ottesen (31:05.9) earned career-best times in the 10k
- The Cougars claimed five top-25 spots and all-region honors
The No. 3 BYU women’s team secured first place for the first time since 2003 with a total score of 70 points, edging out No. 8 Colorado, No. 9 Utah and No. 10 New Mexico. The Cougars faced two other nationally ranked teams—No. 15 Air Force and No. 16 Northern Arizona. Placing first automatically qualifies the women for the NCAA Championships next weekend.
"Our main goal going into this meet was to advance, so I’m proud of our effort,” BYU associate director of cross country and track and field Diljeet Taylor said. “We ran a more controlled race, so to still walk away with a win while resting two of our top-five runners shows incredible depth. I think we're in a good spot going into the national meet."
All-Americans Erica Birk-Jarvis (19:57.7) and Courtney Wayment (20:03.5) led the charge for the Cougars, finishing third and fourth, respectively. Olivia Hoj (20:07.9) crossed the finish line in seventh, followed by Sara Musselman (20:37.2) in 22nd place. Birk-Jarvis, Wayment, Hoj and Musselman earned all-region honors after placing in the top 25.
Anastaysia Davis (21:01.5) placed 34th, followed close behind by Ember Stratton (21:06.5) in 38th. Sadie Sargent (21:23.3) rounded out the Cougars’ showing with a 53rd-place finish.
Women’s Team Notables
- The women’s team will advance to the NCAA National Championships for the sixth-straight year
- The BYU women’s team won the NCAA Mountain Region Championships for the first time since 2003, scoring 70 points
- All-Americans Erica Birk-Jarvis and Courtney Wayment finished in the top-10 after placing third and fourth respectively
- Four Cougars secured spots in the top-25 with all-region honors
Both coaches were impressed with the control and depth that was evidenced in the teams’ finishes.
The Cougars will travel to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for their final meet of the season on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Terre Haute, Indiana. The NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Committee will announce the qualifying teams and individuals for Nationals at the selection show on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. ET.