11 Cougars Named All-MWC; Poole Awarded MWC Indoor Coach of the Year

PROVO -- The All-Mountain West Conference Indoor Track and Field teams have been announced, with the BYU women leading the way with 11 honorees.

The no. 15 ranked women’s team won its ninth MWC Indoor title in the last eleven seasons last weekend and features four individual MWC champions. Senior Mindy McClurkin, the MWC Indoor 200-meter champion, led the way for the women, being named to the list in all three of her events – the long jump, 60-meter dash and 200-meter dash.

“That’s a good representation of what our team has done,” Head Coach Craig Poole said. “We are really proud of all the young people that did such a marvelous job and performed so well. Being chosen by the conference is always a fine recognition.”

Angela Wagner joined McClurkin as the only other BYU female to garner honors in multiple events, hers coming in the 800-meter run and the mile. Other 800-meter runners named to the team were MWC champion Lacey Cramer and sophomore Nachelle Stewart.

Other events in which the Cougars had multiple athletes achieve All-Conference status were the high jump with sophomores Diana Blauer and MWC champion Ada Robinson and the pole vault with senior Kari Clark and freshman MWC champion Rachel Brooke Fisher.

The Cougars also had two athletes make the All-MWC in the 5000-meter run, with junior Katie Bowen and freshman Nicole Nielsen.

2009 National Champion Amy Otis also made the All-Conference squad. Otis finished second in her first pentathlon of the season at the Championships, and will look to defend her National Title at the NCAA Indoor Championships next week.

Poole also left Albuquerque with an impressive recognition. Poole was named the MWC Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. This is Poole’s eighth MWC Coach of the Year recognition.

“Its always a real fine honor when your fellow coaches or peers recognize that you did a good job and its really appreciated,” Poole said.

Three athletes, Otis and pole vaulters Kelli Ehardt and Christen Botteron, will be in action this weekend at Last Chance Invitationals, while the rest of the team stays home and prepares Nationals and outdoor season.