Batty Earns MWC Weekly Honor

COLORADO SPRINGS -- The Mountain West Conference kicked off its 11th season of cross country over Labor Day weekend and honored its first 2009 Athletes of the Week in BYU sophomore Miles Batty and New Mexico sophomore Ellie Rastall.

Batty, an exercise science major from Sandy, Utah, came in first place overall in the men’s 4-mile competition at the BYU Autumn Classic held on the campus cross country course at the Clarence F. Robison Track. The feat marked his first career first-place finish at BYU, completing the race in 19:38.3 ahead of three other Cougars who finished just 20 seconds behind.

“I think he’s a very worthy recipient of the award,” said BYU men’s cross country head coach Ed Eyestone. “I’ve been very pleased with his dedication to the team and we will continue to look to him for leadership. I think he will only get better from here.”

Trailing late in the second lap, Batty managed to overcome two UCLA runners leading the pack and provided a push for the team to claim four of the top five spots and seven in the top 10.

The Cougars will next compete in the UC Riverside Invitational Sept. 19 in Riverside, Calif.

Mountain West Conference Cross Country Athletes of the Week
  Date               Men                              Women
Sept. 8         Miles Batty, So., BYU             Ellie Rastall, So., New Mexico