PROVO -- BYU's two All-Americans showed why they are team leaders at the Mountain Regional Cross Country Championships held at East Bay Golf Course on Saturday.

The No. 2 Cougar women reclaimed the regional crown they lost last year to No. 7 Colorado, dominating the field with all five scoring runners finishing in the top ten. The Cougars scored 31 points to win the race, followed by Colorado with 48 and No. 13 Northern Arizona with 81.

Northcutt finished second in the 6K race behind Colorado senior Jodie Hughes in a race that wasn't won until the final 400 meters.

"Being in front of our some BYU fans and having the cheerleaders there was awesome," Northcutt said. "You catch the excitement of the crowd and it makes you push that little bit more, especially when you hear them cheering for you."

While Northcutt led the way for the Cougars, the race was won for BYU with their three through five runners, who finished 7, 8, 9 to give the Cougars just a 36-second split between their top five runners.

"The win meant a lot for the team and I'm happy for them," head coach Patrick Shane said. "The results were what we wanted and it was nice to beat Colorado."

Despite a slow start to the race, the Cougars ran together throughout the race and the team's pack proved to be the difference in the scores at the end.

"Having the whole team run together helps a lot because we really push each other to run and keep everybody going," Jessie Kindschi, BYU's second finisher and the fifth overall finisher, said. "We really feed off each other during the race."

A strong race by John Hedengren was just what the No. 12 BYU men needed to finish third and beat out conference rival Colorado State by just four points.

The Cougars third-place finish does not give them an automatic berth at the NCAA Championships on Mon., Nov. 19 but virtually assures both BYU teams will be making the trip to Greenville, S.C.

"Today's finishcould be good for us going into nationals because we will go in wanting to prove something," head coach Ed Eyestone said. "We had some guys who were sick but they gutted it out and got the job done. John Hedengren came through as our go-to guy and that's what you count on from an All-American."

The men's field at the Mountain Regionals is one of the strongest in the nation, with seven of the teams being ranked in the top 25.

No. 1 Colorado ran away with the team victory, beating out Northern Arizona by 45 points. Jorge Torres, a Buffalo, won the individual crown for the second straight year, narrowly beating teammate Dathan Ritzenhein and University of Utah All-American Teren Jameson.

The NCAA Championships will be held on Nov. 19 in Greenville, S.C., the same place the BYU women won their first national title in 1997.

2001 Mountain Region Cross Country Championships Results
Men's Top Five Team Finishers
1. Colorado 48
2. Northern Arizona University 93
3. Brigham Young University 115
4. Colorado State University 119
5. Air Force Academy 133
Men's Top Ten Individual Finishers
1. Jorge Torres Colorado 30:52.3
2. Dathan Ritzenhein Colorado 30:52.8
3. Teren Jameson University of Utah 30:53.2 
4. Ed Torres Colorado 31:07.3
5. Travis Laird Northern Arizona University 31:09.0
6. John Hedengren Brigham Young University 31:19.9
7. David Romero Air Force Academy 31:24.1
8. Henrick Ahnstrom Northern Arizona University 31:26.7
9. Matt Gonzales New Mexico 31:28.6
10. Bashar Ibrahim UTEP 31:32.3
Other BYU Finishers
18. Andy Carman 31:53.0
26. Ammon Larsen 32:00.1
27. Lewis Jones 32:07.9
38. Steve Barrus 32:21.2
57. Mark Nevers 32:58.5
58. Mike Thatcher 32:58.8
Women's Team Finish
1. Brigham Young University 31
2. Colorado 48
3. Northern Arizona University 81
4. Colorado State University 85
5. Weber State University 159
Women's Top Ten Individual Finishers
1. Jodie Hughes Colorado 21:13.9
2. Tara Northcutt Brigham Young University 21:21.0
3. Molly Austin Colorado 21:21.6
4. Ida Nilsson Northern Arizona University 21:26.2
5. Jessie Kindschi Brigham Young University 21:32.7
6. Susan Rutherford Northern Arizona University 21:37.2
7. Lindsey Thomsen Brigham Young University 21:43.4
8. Sarah Taylor Brigham Young University 21:47.0
9. Nan Evans Brigham Young University 21:49.4
10. Marget Larson Colorado State University 21:51.5
Other BYU Finishers
12. Michaela Manova 22:05.3
17. Amy Bair 22:26.2

PROVO -- The No. 2 BYU women and No. 12 BYU men stay home this weekend to host the NCAA Mountain Regional at East Bay Golf Course in Provo on Saturday.

The men's 10K race will be first at 11 a.m. and will be followed by thewomen's 6K race at 12:15 p.m.

Both teams are looking to earn an automatic bid to this year's NCAA Championships in Greenville, S.C. on Mon. Nov. 19.

The women's team has already basically assured a spot in that field but would like to reclaim the region title after getting knocked off by Colorado last year.

"In this case winning isn't necessary to advancebut we would like to win the race," head coach Patrick Shane said. "Rather than rest our top runners like we have in the past, this year we are going to run everyone and we expect to be as strong as we have ever been."

The women's field consists of four teams ranked in the top 25, including No. 2 BYU, No. 7 Colorado, No. 13 Northern Arizona and No. 16 Colorado State.

The men's look good for an at-large berth but their hold on that berth is a bit more tenuous than that of the women.

"We would like to control our destiny and to do that we need to finish in the top three," head coach Ed Eyestone said. "We can't hold anything back for tomorrow or there might not be a tomorrow."

Seven top-25 teams will be competing in the Mountain Regional, including No. 1 Colorado, No. 9 Northern Arizona, No. 12 BYU, No. 15 Air Force, No. 21 Utah State, No. 23 Colorado State and No. 25 Utah.

"Our region could have as many as five teams go to nationals," Eyestone said. "But the top two teams are the only two that can guarantee their position."

The regional meet will begin with the men's 10K race at 11 a.m. and will be followed by the women's 6K race at 12:15 p.m. At the conclusion of the women's race there will be an award ceremony for both races. East Bay Golf Course is located at 1860 S East Bay Blvd. in South Provo.

Directions to East Bay Golf Course

From Salt Lake City International Airport. Exit airport heading South on I-215. Merge with I-15 heading South. Go south on I-15 to exit 266 (US-189 N/University Ave) in Provo. Merge onto S University Ave./US-189 Turn right on East Bay Blvd. to 1860 S. East Bay Blvd.

From the north.

Go south on I-15 to exit 266 (US-189 N/University Ave) in Provo. Merge onto S University Ave./US-189 Turn right on East Bay Blvd. to 1860 S. East Bay Blvd.

From the south.

Take I-15 heading North to exit 266 (US-189 N/University Ave/1860 S) in Provo. Stay straight to go onto S University Ave/US-189 N. Turn right on East Bay Blvd. to 1860 S. East Bay Blvd.

Team Capsules for All Mountain Region Teams:

Air Force Quick Facts

School Name - Air Force Academy

Location - Air Force Academy, Colorado

Enrollment - 4,000

Nickname - Falcons

Colors - Blue and Silver

Athletic Director - Col. Randall W. Spetman

Head Coach - Mark Stanforth

2001 MWC Finish (Men/Women) - 3rd/3rd

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 6th/9th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - 16th/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - David Romero/Brandess Pardue

Brigham Young Quick Facts

School Name - Brigham Young University

Location - Provo, Utah

Enrollment - 30,079

Nickname - Cougars

Colors - Blue, White and Tan

Athletic Director (Men/Women) - Val Hale/Elaine Michaelis

Head Coach (Men/Women) - Ed Eyestone/Patrick Shane

2001 MWC Finish (Men/Women) - 1st/1st

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 2nd/2nd

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - 2nd/23rd

Top Runners (Men/Women) - John Hedengren/Tara Northcutt

Colorado Quick Facts

School Name - University of Colorado

Location - Boulder, Colo.

Enrollment - 26,035

Nickname - Buffaloes (Buffs)

Colors - Silver, Gold and Black

Athletic Director - Dick Tharp

Head Coach - Mark Wetmore

2001 Big 12 Finish (Men/Women) - 1st/1st

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 1st/1st

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - 2nd/1st

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Jorge Torres/Molly Austin

Colorado State Quick Facts

School Name - Colorado State University

Location - Fort Collins, Colorado

Enrollment - 22,600

Nickname - Rams

Colors - Green and Gold

Athletic Director - Jeffrey Hathaway

Head Coach - Del Hessel

2001 MWC Finish (Men/Women) - 4th/2nd

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 5th/3rd

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - 21st/7th

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Mike Nicks/Meg Larson

Denver Quick Facts

School Name - University of Denver

Location - Denver, Colorado

Enrollment - 9,500

Nickname - Pioneers

Colors - Crimson and Gold

Athletic Director - M. Dianne Murphy

Head Coach - Trond Nystad

2001 Sun Belt Finish (Men/Women) - 9th/6th

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 15th/11th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Pietro Broggini/Niina Karvonen

Idaho State Quick Facts

School Name - Idaho State University

Location - Pocatello, Idaho

Enrollment - 13,040

Colors - Orange & Black

Nickname - Bengals

Athletic Director - Howard Gauthie

Head Coach - Brian Janssen

2001 Big Sky Finish (Men/Women) - 5th/5th

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Finish) - 15th/11th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Casey Crumrine/Sarah Van Wart

Montana Quick Facts

School Name - University of Montana

Location - Missoula, Montana

Enrollment - 12,668

Nickname - Grizzlies

Colors - Copper, Silver and Gold

Athletic Director - Wayne Hogan

Head Coach - Tom Raunig

2001 Big Sky Finish (Men/Women) - 4th/4th

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 14th/5th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Scott McGowan/Julie Ham

Montana State Quick Facts

School Name - Montana State University

Location - Bozeman, Montana

Enrollment - 11,753

Nickname - Bobcats

Colors - Blue and Gold

Athletic Director - Glenn Lewis

Head Coach - Dale Kennedy

2001 Big Sky Finish (Men/Women) - 3rd/3rd

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 14th/5th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Casey Jermyn/Ariana Lee

Nevada Quick Facts

School Name - University of Nevada

Location - Reno, Nevada

Enrollment - 14,100

Nickname - Wolf Pack

Colors - Navy Blue and Silver

Athletic Director - Chris Ault

Head Coach - Kay Gooch

2001 WAC Finish (Women) - 3rd

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Women) - DNC

2000 NCAA Finish (Women) - DNC

Top Runner - Emma Garrard

New Mexico Quick Facts

School Name - University of New Mexico

Location - Albuquerque, N.M.

Enrollment - 24,250

Nickname - Lobos

Colors - Cherry and Silver

Athletic Director - Rudy Davalos

Head Coach - Matt Henry

2001 MWC Finish (Men/Women) - 5th/5th

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 12th/14th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Ben Ortega/Sarah Gonzales

New Mexico State Quick Facts

School Name - New Mexico State University

Location - Las Cruces, New Mexico

Enrollment - 15,224

Nickname - Aggies

Colors - Crimson and White

Athletic Director - Brian Faison

Head Coach - Ed Crawford

2001 Sun Belt Finish (Men/Women) - 6th/3rd

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - NTS/13th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Louis Cuellar/Rachael Cuellar

Northern Arizona Quick Facts

School Name - Northern Arizona University

Location - Flagstaff, Ariz.

Enrollment - 20,000

Colors - Blue and Gold

Nickname - Lumberjacks

Athletic Director - Steve Holton

Head Coach - Ron Mann

2001 Big Sky Finish (Men/Women) - 1st/3rd

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 3rd/6th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - 7th/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Henrik Ahnstrom/Ida Nillson

Southern Utah Quick Facts

School Name - Southern Utah University

Location - Cedar City, Utah

Enrollment - 6,200

Nickname - Thunderbirds

Colors - Scarlet and White

Athletic Director - Tom Douple

Head Coach - Eric Houle

2001 Mid-Con Finish (Men/Women) - 1st/1st

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 7th/15th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Cody Moat/Jandee Anderson

Texas Tech Quick Facts

School Name - Texas Tech University

Location - Lubbock, Texas

Enrollment - 24,558

Nickname - Red Raiders

Colors - Scarlet and Black

Athletic Director - Gerald Myers

Head Coach - David Smith

2001 Big 12 Finish (Men/Women) - 12th/10th

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 9th/8th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Joseph McClellon/Shannon Spaulding

Utah Quick Facts

School Name - University of Utah

Location - Salt Lake City, Utah

Enrollment - 26,182

Nickname - Utes

Colors - Crimson and White

Athletic Director - Chris Hill

Head Coach - Lisa Collett

2001 MWC Finish (Men/Women) - 3rd/4th

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 11th/10th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Teren Jameson/Tara Hall

Utah State Quick Facts

School Name - Utah State University

Location - Logan, Utah

Enrollment - 21,490

Nickname - Aggies

Colors - Navy Blue and White

Athletic Director - Rance Pugmire

Head Coach - Gregg Gensel

2001 Big Sky Finish (Men/Women) - 2nd//4th

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 9th/8th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Steve Prescott/Billie Winter

UTEP Quick Facts

School Name - University of Texas El Paso

Location - El Paso, Texas

Enrollment - 15,224

Nickname - Miners

Colors - Dark Blue, Orange and Silver Accent

Athletic Director - Bob Stull

Head Coach - David Welsh

2001 WAC Finish (Men/Women) - 2nd/8th

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 16th/DNC

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Bashar Ibrahim/Maria Llerena-Sanz

Weber State Quick Facts

School Name - Weber State University

Location - Ogden, Utah

Enrollment - 16,000

Colors - Royal Purple and White

Nickname - Wildcats

Athletic Director - John Johnson

Head Coach (Men/Women) - Chuck Hislop/Jim Blaisdell

2001 Big Sky Finish (Men/Women) - 2nd/2nd

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 4th/4th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - 19th/22nd

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Jeremy Tolman/Caroline Jolley

Wyoming Quick Facts

School Name - University of Wyoming

Location - Laramie, Wyoming

Enrollment - 11,000

Nickname - Cowboys/Cowgirls

Colors - Brown and Wyoming Prairie Gold

Athletic Director - Lee Moon

Head Coach - Jim Sanchez

2001 MWC Finish (Men/Women) - 6th/6th

2000 Mt. Region Finish (Men/Women) - 13th/16th

2000 NCAA Finish (Men/Women) - DNC/DNC

Top Runners (Men/Women) - Chris Jons/Ashley Mecham