Two BYU Runners On Top at USA Cross Country Championships

NEW YORK -- Chelsea McKell and Amy Fowler ran in the USA Cross Country Championships in New York City Saturday and came out on top of the college runners.

This meet decides what six runners will be on team USA at the World Championships, and McKell waits to hear if she'll be able to go if the top six are unable to compete.

McKell finished 8th out of 78 in the open women's 8 km race, and was the youngest to finish in the top 45. Fowler finished 12th in the junior women's 6 km race.

"Chelsea had a great race, she started slow as she traditionally does and moved up in the pack and kept moving up, but just couldn't finish in the top six," said Coach Patrick Shane. "I am very proud of her, she is a great cross country runner and she will do great in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters this Saturday at Indoor Championships."

"Amy didn't have the best performance of the year, " said Shane, "if she did like she has in the past she would've made the team, but it was a great experience for her."

McKell made the team last year with Laura Turner, and hopes that two women won't want to go so she can.

To see the complete results of each race at the USA Cross Country Championships go to http://www.usatf.org/events/2006/USAXCChampionships/schedule.asp.