Teams Begin 2009 Campaign With BYU Autumn Classic

PROVO -- The BYU men’s and women’s cross country teams kick off a highly anticipated 2009 season this weekend as they host the BYU Autumn Classic Saturday morning at the Clarence F. Robison Track.

The event will feature both BYU squads competing at the campus cross country course against schools UCLA, Idaho State and San Bernardino Valley College. Interspersed between the collegiate competitions will be the top high school cross country programs throughout Utah competing in 5K races at the sophomore, JV, and varsity levels.

“There will once again be some tough competition at this year’s race,” said men’s head coach Ed Eyestone. “UCLA has a great running tradition and several strong steeplechase athletes on their team and the other schools always field good squads as well.”

The women’s team will compete in a 5K race scheduled to begin at 10:45 a.m., while the men will have a 4-mile run at 11:35 a.m. Individual awards will be given to the top 30 finishers of each race. The top three teams from varsity will be given awards along with the top two from the other events.

The 5K race will consist of three laps around the course while the 4-mile run will have four laps. Roughly 70 percent of the course can be seen from the grandstand, which will also provide a great view of the finish line.

Both the men’s and women’s teams hope to use the meet as an opportunity to evaluate their respective rosters and determine traveling teams for future competitions.

“This is a great chance to establish a depth chart for our team and determine who will solidify their spots as leaders of the team,” said BYU women’s cross country coach Patrick Shane.

Admission to the event is $3 for adults, free admission for students with an ID card, and children five and under are also free. Any youths (14 and under) wearing their track or cross country uniform will receive free admission. Results from the meet can be viewed on Rocky Mountain RunnerCard.

Click here for a map of the course.

2009 BYU Autumn Classic Tentative Schedule
 9:00 am   Frosh/Soph Boys      5K
 9:30 am   Frosh/Soph Girls     5K
 9:55 am   JV Boys              5K
10:15 am   JV Girls             5K
10:45 am   Univ. Women          5K
11:10 am   Varsity Girls        5K
11:35 am   Univ. Men           4 Mile
12:05 pm   Varsity Boys         5K
12:40 pm   Awards