Cowboy Cross Country team picked third in MWC

LARAMIE – With the Mountain West cross country championships coming up this Friday, Nov. 1, in Logan, Utah, the conference office released the annual pre-championship coaches’ poll. The Cowboys are picked to finish third, while the Cowgirls have been picked sixth.

The Cowboys were picked to tie for first in the midseason poll, but were defeated by a pair of MW teams at the Nuttycombe Invitational.

Nationally ranked No. 18 Boise State picked up five first-place votes and 61 points to be selected first, while No. 22 Utah State earned four first-place votes and 57 points to be selected second. The Cowboys earned 46.5 points in the poll for the third-place spot, while Air Force earned 46 points to be picked fourth. Colorado State and New Mexico earned 39.5 and 29 points to be picked fifth and sixth, respectively. San José State (22 points), Fresno State (12 points) and Nevada (11 points) rounded out the poll.

The Cowgirls were picked eighth in the midseason poll before they toppled four MW teams at the Bronco Invite. The 11-time defending MW champions, No. 11 New Mexico, were picked to win the championship with six first-place votes and 96 points. The No. 13 Boise State team was selected second with four first-place votes and 92 points, while No. 14 Air Force picked up a first-place vote and 82 votes for third. Utah State (71 points) was picked fourth, while Colorado State (65 points) and Wyoming (51 points) were picked fifth and sixth, respectively. San José State (48 points) was picked seventh, Nevada (41 points) was chosen eighth and San Diego State (24 points) was picked ninth. Rounding out the poll, UNLV (20 points) and Fresno State (15 points) were picked 10^th and 11^th.

The MW Championships are this Friday, Nov. 1, in Logan, Utah, hosted by Utah State. The men’s 8-kilometer race is scheduled for 10 a.m., while the women’s 6-kilometer race is slated for 10:45 a.m.

Men’s Cross Country Midseason Poll

Team (First-Place Votes)            Points
1. Boise State (5)                          61
1. Utah State (4)                           57
3. Wyoming                                   46.5
4. Air Force                                    46
5. Colorado State                         39.5
6. New Mexico                             29
7. San José State                          22
8. Fresno State                             12
9. Nevada                                      11

Women’s Cross Country Midseason Poll

Team (First-Place Votes)            Points
1. New Mexico (6)                        96
2. Boise State (4)                          92
3. Air Force (1)                              82
4. Utah State                                 71
5. Colorado State                         65
6. Wyoming                                  51
7. San José State                          48
8. Nevada                                      41       
9. San Diego State                       24                   
10. UNLV                                       20
11. Fresno State                          15