BYU Women Picked to Win Conference, Men Picked Third by MWC Coaches

PROVO -- Mountain West Conference cross country coaches have cast their votes and the BYU women's team once again finds themselves at the top. The men's team, which has won the last two conference titles, was picked to finish third behind Colorado State and Air Force.

The women's team received seven of eight first-place votes (coaches aren't allowed to vote for their own teams) to beat out Colorado State and Air Force, who were picked to finish second and third respectively.

Patrick Shane, BYU women's cross country head coach, knows the preseason polls have little meaning when it comes to who actually wins the conference title.

"I'm flattered and honored that the rest of the coaches picked us to win the conference but the fact is we'll find out how deserving that preseason ranking is on Oct. 27 at the conference championships."

On the men's side, the top three teams were separated by only two points. The Cougars received 20 points (two first-place votes) and finished just behind Colorado State (22 points, two first-place votes) and Air Force (21 points, two first-place votes).

Preseason Men's Cross Country Poll

Pl. Team (1st Place Votes) Points

1. Colorado State (2) 22

2. Air Force (2) 21

3. BYU (2) 20

4. Utah 13

5. New Mexico 8

6. Wyoming 6

Preseason Women's Cross Country Poll

Pl. Team (1st Place Votes) Points

1. BYU (7) 49

2. Colorado State (1) 42

3. Air Force 34

4. Utah 32

5. New Mexico 22

6. San Diego State 19

7. UNLV 14

8. Wyoming 12