University of Utah 2010-11 Cross Country Media Guide

SCHEDULE

NCAA Championships

Rose Park Golf Course, Salt Lake City

September Lucy Yates, SO NCAA Qualifier 4 Utah State Open MWC Champion 18 Montana State Invitational 25 Stanford Invitational October 12 University of Nevada Invitational 16 NCAA Pre-National Meet 29 MWC Championships November 13 NCAA Regional Championships 22

Amanda Mergaert, SO 2 time NCAA Qualifier MWC Champion

Alyssa Abbott, SR

6 time NCAA Qualifier 3 time MWC Champion

UTAHUTES.COM

Utah Cross Country Table of Contents

2010 Schedule

Quick Facts and Schedule......................................... 1 The University of Utah.................................................. 2 Salt Lake City............................................................... 3 Utah Cross Country Venues....................................... 4 Athlete Development................................................. 5 2010 NCAA Mountain Regional................................ 6 What They’re Saying About Coach Kepler.............. 7 Head Coach Kyle Kepler........................................... 8-9 2010 Preview................................................................ 10-11 2010 Roster................................................................... 12 The Utes........................................................................ 13-22 Award Winners............................................................ 23 2009 Results.................................................................. 24

Date

Opponent

Location

Sat., Sept. 4

Utah State Open

Logan, Utah

Sat., Sept. 18

Montana State Invite

Bozeman, Mont.

Sat., Sept. 25

Stanford Invitational

Palo Alto, Calif.

Sat., Oct. 2

Nevada Invitational

Reno, Nev.

Sat., Oct. 16

NCAA Pre-National Meet Terre Haute, Ind.

Fri., Oct. 29

MWC Championships

Laramie, Wyo.

Sat., Nov. 13

NCAA Regional

Salt Lake City, Utah

Rose Park Golf Course

Mon., Nov. 22 NCAA Championships

Terre Haute, Ind.

Utah Communications

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Metro Population: 1,333,914 Elevation: 4,657 feet above sea level President: Dr. Michael K. Young Athletics Director: Dr. Chris Hill Founded: 1850 Enrollment: 29,251 Nickname: Utes Colors: Crimson and White Mascot: Swoop (Red-Tailed Hawk) Facilities: McCarthey Family Outdoor Track & Field Complex/ Olympic Oval, Rose Park Golf Course Web Site: www.UtahUtes.com Conference: Mountain West Affiliation: NCAA Division I

Director: Liz Abel Associate Director: Kyle Harris Assistant Director: Brooke Frederickson Assistant Director: Mike DeVine

E-mail: mdevine@huntsman.utah.edu

Office Phone: 801.581.8997 Office Manager: Kate Sturgeon Student Assistant (XC Contact): Connor Malmberg

E-mail: cmalmberg@huntsman.utah.edu

Office Phone: 801.336.6100

Follow Coach Kep’s Blog at http://www.utahtrackxc.blogspot.com/

Coaching Staff Head Coach: Kyle Kepler

Alma Mater: Northern Iowa, 1998/2004

Office Phone: 801.585.6858

E-mail: kkepler@huntsman.utah.edu

2009 in Review MWC Finish: 6th/9 NCAA Regional Finish: 19th/20 Top Utah Individual: Amanda Mergaert

57th, 22:29.5

Become a fan of University of Utah Track & Field on Facebook

Follow Utah Track & Field on Twitter at twitter.com/Utah_trackfield

Credits: The 2010 Cross Country Media Guide was writtern by Connor Malmberg, Communications Student Assistant. Designed and edited by Mike DeVine, Assistant Communications Director. Photography by Steve Wilson, Tom Smart, Scott Pettett, Utah Olympic Oval, Salt Lake Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Utah Travel Council.

Cover design by Mike DeVine.

youtube.com/user/UtahTrack

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

Quick Facts and Schedule

University of Utah

Utah Cross Country Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

Snapshot of the U.

University of Utah

Founded in 1850 Research I University Top 100 world ranking 190 majors (undergraduate/graduate) 2007 Nobel Prize winner Mario Cappechi

Ranked among the top 100 universities in the world, the University of Utah is renowned for its research expertise, academic performance and athletic prowess. The U. is the only institution in the Mountain West Conference—and in the state of Utah—to earn a top-tier ranking from the Academic Ranking of World Universities, and has done so for five straight years.

Utah ranks among the top 35 public research universities in the nation, with particular distinction in medicine, genetics and engineering.

Founded in 1850, the University of Utah now encompasses 1,500 acres in the foothills of the towering Wasatch Mountain range. The campus is located just minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and world-class ski resorts, and includes an eclectic mix of teaching and research facilities in a park-like setting of trees, fountains, flowering malls and pedestrian walkways.

Home to a student population of over 29,000, the U offers some 100 undergraduate and 90 graduate majors. Many of the U.’s programs are nationally ranked, including law, pharmacy, architecture, business, engineering and dance.

Utah ranks among the top public research universities in the nation, with particular distinction in medicine, genetics and engineering. In 2008-2009, the University received a record-setting $376.7 million in external funding for research. University of Utah geneticist Mario R. Capecchi, one of many acclaimed faculty members, received the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for his work on gene targeting.

2

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

The Eccles Institute of Human Genetics is one of several innovative medical programs at the University of Utah. Others include the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Moran Eye Center and the Brain Institute.

The U. is also noted for its work in technology and computer sciences; and its Center for High Performance Computing serves as a link to major aerospace industries, high-tech manufacturers and research companies. The University is tied for first in the nation with MIT in successfully commercializing the discoveries that occur on campus.

The U. provides a lively residential living experience in beautiful Heritage Commons, which served as the Athletes Village for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Utah students enjoy unparalleled recreational activities, from skiing and snowboarding at any of eight world-class resorts in nearby canyons, to backpacking, mountain biking, fly fishing and river running.

The U.’s location in the largest city in the Intermountain West (metro population 1,333,914) allows for an urban experience in a spectacular natural setting. Salt Lake City is home to professional symphony, ballet, modern dance, opera and theater companies, as well as four professional sports teams.

Utah Cross Country Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, home to the University of Utah and the state’s capital city, offers an unrivaled blend of metropolitan life and recreational opportunities. With 179,894 residents, Salt Lake City is the largest city in the state and its metro population of 1,333,914 ranks in the top 40 in the United States. Yet Salt Lake City maintains the charm of a small western city.

Employment opportunities, culture, quality of life and recreation are some of the reasons why Salt Lake City is consistently named one of the nation’s best cities. In the May 2010 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, Salt Lake City was No. 5 on its list of the “10 Best Cities for the Next Decade.”

Forbes Magazine selected Salt Lake City as “The Best City for Jobs” in both 2007 and 2008.

Nestled between the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountain ranges and the Great Salt Lake, the city is located in one of the most picturesque places on earth.

The lowest point within city boundaries is 4,210 feet near the Great Salt Lake, and the highest is Grandview Peak at 9,410 feet. The Great Salt Lake (48 miles wide and 90 miles long) is the world’s second largest saltwater lake and the largest lake in the western United States.

The

city

is

the

cultural,

financial,

educational, technological, commercial, and communications hub of the Intermountain West. Utah was named the most technologically advanced state in the 2008 Digital States Survey. Salt Lake is also home to world-renowned medical and technology industries.

Cultural and ethnic activities flourish in Salt Lake City and its vibrant downtown features dining, shopping, music and ethnic festivals, art galleries, professional symphony, opera, theater and dance.

The annual Sundance Film Festival, which is the largest independent film festival in the U.S., attracts movie stars, celebrities, and thousands of film buffs to the area every year. According to P3/Production Update Magazine, Utah is one of the “10 Best States in the Nation for Film.”

Professional sports franchises in Salt Lake City include the Utah Jazz (NBA), Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer), the Salt Lake Bees (AAA baseball) and the Utah Grizzlies (East Coast Hockey League).

The Best City • Fifth-best City for the Next Decade, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine • “Best City for Jobs,” Forbes Magazine • 237 days of sunshine per year • 15 percent average humidity • Host city for the 2002 Winter Olympics Entertainment • 14 ski resorts within an hour’s drive • Home to the Sundance Film Festival • Four professional sports franchises • Symphony, opera, theater and dance Salt Lake International Airport • Five minutes from downtown • Delta Airlines hub • 23rd-busiest airport in the U.S.

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

3

Utah Cross Country

Venues

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

The Salt Lake Valley and surrounding area is considered to be one of the top 20 running cities in the United States by several of the best running publications and experts. The University of Utah distance running corp has access to some of America’s greatest running trails. These trails consist primarily of dirt, grass, crushed rock, or other runner friendly surfaces. All of these trails are located at elevations ranging from 4,500-8,000 feet. The breathtaking scenery of the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains serve as a backdrop to one of America’s most beautiful and cleanest cities -- Salt Lake City.

The Bonneville Trail runs through the university campus, university research park, above Utah’s famous Red Butte Gardens, and by Hogle Zoo. It is a dirt trail with rolling terrain and the best view of the entire valley. City Creek Canyon Trail is a popular running and biking avenue among Salt Lake locals. A portion of this trail includes running through downtown Salt Lake City, a view of the state capitol building and the World Business Center for the Church of Jesus Christ Later-Day Saints.

The canyon trail includes a path that is primarily dirt and another that is more suitable for biking. Liberty Park is another training favorite among the U’s distance runners. It includes a 1.45 mile woodchip running trail where various workouts are performed. Pipeline Trail is located in Millcreek Canyon which is only 15 minutes from the University of Utah campus. This out-and-back, 11-mile roundtrip trail is located at 6,000 feet elevation.

The greenery of the canyon is surrounded by 10,000-foot peaks and combines an incredible view of the Salt Lake Valley at trail’s end.

Finally, the running trails in the Park City vicinity are some of the world’s premier running trails. Located at nearly 7,000-foot elevation, these trails provide an extensive system of training ground surrounded by the pristine views of the Wasatch Mountains, Silver Spring Lake, and America’s tourist delight - Park City, Utah.

City Creek Canyon Trail is a popular running and biking avenue among Salt Lake locals. A portion of this trail includes running downtown Salt Lake City, a view of the state capitol building.

The Bonneville Trail runs through the university campus, university research park, above Utah’s famous Red Butte Gardens, and by Hogle Zoo. It is a dirt trail with rolling terrain and the best view of the entire valley.

The running trails in the Park City vicinity are some of the world’s premier running trails.

Located at nearly 7,000 foot elevation, these trails provide an extensive system of training ground surrounded by the pristine views of the Wasatch Mountains, Silver Spring Lake, and Park City.

4

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

Utah Cross Country The Utah cross country team has a variety of resources available to it to care for both the player’s physical and mental well-being.

The Utes train in the new Alex Smith Strength and Conditioning Facility at the Dee Glen Smith Athletics Center. Smith, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, donated $500,000 as the lead gift for the renovation and expansion of the existing strength and conditioning facility at his alma mater.

The current elite training facility has 16 full racks with Olympic platforms, a large dumbbell training area complete with 12 0-90 degree incline walk-up benches, and a large cardiovascular area complete with treadmills, cross trainers, stair steppers and spin bikes.

The strength and conditioning program concentrates on strength training, speed development, flexibility, mental toughness, conditioning, injury prevention and motivation.

Under the direction of Doug Elisaia, the director of strength and conditioning, the cross country program works with Director of Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning Jon Webster. He is assisted by Kenny Rufino.

To care for the athlete’s injuries, the Utah athletics program maintains a partnership with a veteran sports medicine team supervised by Dr. Bob Burks, director of the University of Utah Sports Medicine Center at Red Butte Clinic. The sports medicine staff is headed by director Trevor Jameson and associate trainer Deb Willardson. The cross country team works with Jameson and graduate assistant Hannah Kropf on a daily basis.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

Athlete Development

Other resources available to Utah cross country runners include a sports psychologist and nutritionist.

5

Utah Cross Country

2010 NCAA Mountain Regional Home Page Nov. 13 at the Rose Park Golf Course

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

Starting Times The women’s championship will start at 10:30 A.M., followed by the men’s championship at 11:15 A.M. Directions Directions from the North, South, and East: Follow I-15 to I-80 west. Take I-80 West to Redwood Rd. exit. Go right (north) off of I-80 ramp on to Redwood Rd. Go north 2-3 miles and course will be on right hand side of road.

2010 NCAA Mountain Regional

From the West and SLC International Airport: Follow I-80 East to Redwood Rd. exit. Go left (north) off of I-80 ramp onto Redwood Rd. Go north 2-3 miles and course will be on right hand side of road. *Just before you get to Rose Park Golf Course there is a small par-3 course (Jordan River) on the right hand side of the road.

This is not part of Rose Park so please make sure you continue north on Redwood Rd. Rose Park is clearly marked and we will have some NCAA/U. of U. signage as well.

Parking Reserved team parking for the championships will be available at Rose Park Golf Course. You will need a parking pass to be admitted to this area.

Spectator parking in the golf course lot will be extremely limited. Parking will be available along the road and in the neighborhoods adjacent to the course.

For more information, check: http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/c-xc/ spec-rel/10-xc-reg-championship.html canal

canal

Start/Finish

Start/Finish W 1mi/3K

M

11

11

W 2mi

13

1

M 2mi

12

12 M 3mi

Women's 6K Championship Course …….. 1575m Loop counterclockwise _ _ _ 1425m Loop clockwise _____ 3000m Loop clockwise

14

14 M 2K/5K/8K M 5mi

Men's 10K Championship Course ____ 3000m Loop counterclockwise _ _ _ 1000m Loop counterclockwise ____ 2 x 3000m Loop clockwise

W 2K

18

18

4K

16

16

N

W 3mi

W 5K

M 6mi

N

M 1K/6K/9K

W 1K

M 1mi

M 4mi

1

1

6

15

University of Utah Cross Country Course Rose Park Golf Course 1385 N Redwood Rd Salt Lake City, UT 84116

17

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

University of Utah Cross Country Course Rose Park Golf Course 1385 N Redwood Rd Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Utah Cross Country Trevor Jameson Director of Sports Medicine • University of Utah “Coach Kepler is a great coach. He truly cares about all of his athletes and keeps himself well informed on their injuries and limitations. More than any coach I have worked with, he has been able to help his athletes continue to train and improve despite what injuries they may have. He is able to help motivate his athletes to find their best and be self-motivated to work at achieving their best. I consider him a friend and love to work with him and the athletes in his program because they demand so much of themselves.”

Tony Bussan Head Cross Country and Track Coach • Webster City Schools, Webster City, Iowa President of the Iowa Association of Track Coaches

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

“From the moment he showed up on my front porch as a high school freshman, through an outstanding high school and collegiate running career, to assistant and head coaching duties at the University of Northern Iowa (which included serving as the director of the NCAA Division I Championships) to now leading the up-and-coming Utah program, Kyle Kepler has been a proven winner, team leader, and program developer. His intense commitment to excellence for each individual and the team as a whole allows him to foster the relationships and development among his squads that create excitement and success.”

“[Kepler] is very dedicated to the overall health and well-being of his team and he has made performance related nutrition a priority for his athletes. [Kepler] continues to involve me with the team and individual athletes he is concerned about. He emphasizes an approach that focuses on both the performance of an athlete today, but also the long term health of the athlete. He is a great team player and cares so much about his athletes.”

Robert Rainey University of Utah • Athletics Academic Services

What They’re Saying

Beth Wolfgram CSCS, MS, RD, CD Sports Nutritionist, University of Utah Athletic Department • Adjunct Faculty University of Utah Division of Nutrition

“Since Coach Kepler has been at Utah, all of his teams have had cumulative GPAs above a 3.0. and they have been recognized with All-Academic awards from the Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches’ Associations. He truly recognizes the importance of the balance between academics and athletics.”

Brad Rasmussen Glenwood Girls Track and Field/Cross Country Coach • Glenwood Community Schools (Iowa) “I met “Kep” while he was an assistant coach at the University of Northern Iowa. My two sons and I attended the track and field/cross country camp at Northern Iowa while he was there. “Kep” and I developed a lasting friendship.

His coaching techniques and guidance go far beyond athletics. His personality allows him to get the best from all of the people he meets. He is very loyal to his athletes and coaches and works hard to be the best. It is an honor for me to call him friend and colleague.”

Kari Krook Former student-athlete • University of Northern Iowa “Coach Kepler is an outstanding coach who is committed to leading his cross country and track and Field teams to the next level. His passion, dedication and patience for the sport of running has and will continue to bring his teams great success. In addition, Coach Kepler’s experience as a former student athlete is an invaluable asset for promoting the importance of performing well in the classroom. He is such a great coach, Utah is lucky to have him.”

Cody Krenka Head Cross Country Coach • Head Track & Field Coach • Elko High School (Nev.) “Coach Kepler is a great coach who has an amazing ability to take a young athlete fresh out of high school and turn her in to a competitive NCAA Division 1 athlete. He realizes that each athlete has different potential and works hard to get each girl to that potential. As a distance coach for 11 years, I have had more than my fair share of athletes compete at the next level and I can honestly say that the distance program under Coach Kepler at the University of Utah is usually my highest recommendation for my female athletes.”

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

7

Utah Cross Country

Kyle Kepler Head Coach

Alyssa Abbott won their first conference title with a time of 11:38.59. The distance medley team finished nearly 11.5 seconds faster than second-place BYU, who had won the event nine of the 10 previous years prior to Utah’s victory.

Abbott went on to win her first individual conference title in the 3,000 meter run (9:55.54) the next day. Mergaert, just a freshman, claimed the runner up spot in the mile run in a new school record time (4:51.21). Sophomore Langley Iverson claimed all conference honors in the high jump. Her clearance of (5-8.75) gave her a runner up finish as well.

Sarah Grimm (weight throw) and the 4x400m relay team were third place finishers also earning all MWC honors. Utah’s DMR Kyle Kepler is heading into his sixth year as the head coach of the ended up ranked 14th in the country at the end of the season University of Utah women’s cross country and track & field programs. after running a school record 11:13.77 at the Notre Dame Last Kepler’s organization and attention to detail have allowed him to Chance qualifying meet. develop a solid foundation and create a competitive program that has steadily improved each year. In 12 years of coaching at the The outdoor season saw Alyssa Abbott claim Utah’s first ever NCAA Division I level, Kepler has seen 32 conference champions, Drake Relays Championship in the 1500m with a time of 128 all-conference athletes, 33 regional qualifiers, 23 all-region 4:23.48. She was also the conference champion in that event athletes, 21 NCAA qualifiers, and nine NCAA All-Americans. with a 4:29.98. Grimm broke the school record in the hammer Kepler’s influence on his athletes is not just visible on the track, but throw with her toss of 207-1.75 at the Mark Falmo Invitational. also in the classroom. The women’s cross country team has been Grimm-runner up (hammer throw), Kaplar-runner up (400m honored by USTFCCCA as All-Academic four out of the previous five hurdles), Iverson-third (high jump), and the 4x400 meter relay seasons. The track and field team has been named to USTFCCCA quartet-third also earned all MWC honors. Kepler helped All-Academic team, three of the previous six seasons. The Ute cross sophomore Lucy Yates qualify for the NCAA Championships country squad earned the 12th-highest team GPA in the country in for the first time in her career, in the 800m event, where she both 2007 (3.64) and 2008 (3.65). finished 23rd overall. Her time (2:06.21) in the preliminary

Sixth Year Northern Iowa, 1998/2004

Head Coach Kyle Kepler

Intro..

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

2009-10 In the 2009 cross country season, Kepler guided one of the youngest teams in the country to a sixth-place finish at the Mountain West Conference Championships, with two freshmen finishing in the top 30. At the NCAA Mountain Regional meet, four of Utah’s five scoring runners were freshmen. Kepler not only coached the young athletes with a high level of performance, but emphasized the importance of academics with five of his cross country athletes achieving academic all-conference status.

round at the NCAA West Region championships set a new Utah school record.

Between indoor and outdoor track and field, Kepler guided his athletes to four conference titles and 16 All-Mountain West Conference honors. Sarah Grimm qualified for the NCAA West Region championships and was ranked in the top 10 in the nation for the hammer throw during the last half of the season.

Kepler saw eight athletes qualify for regionals under the new qualifying system. Twenty athletes from the track and field team also earned academic all-conference honors.

At the MWC Indoor Championships, the Utes finished fourth overall for the second consecutive year. In outdoor track and field, Utah 2008-09 finished sixth overall at the conference meet, but scored 70 or more The 2008 season was a banner year for Coach Kepler and points for the second straight year. the Utes. He coached the cross country team to a third-place finish at the Mountain West Conference Championships, At the MWC Indoor Championships, Utah’s distance medley team which is the highest finish in school history. En route to that comprised of Amanda Mergaert, Chelsey Kaplar, Lucy Yates, and third-place finish, the Utes defeated defending conference champion Colorado State.

The team also had a top-10 finish in the NCAA Regional Meet, placing sixth overall.

Alyssa Abbott (9th) and Chelsea DiGrazia (21st) were named to the NCAA All-Mountain Region team.

Abbott advanced to the 2008 NCAA Cross Country Championships where she placed 76th with a time of 21:00.5, missing all-American status by 19 seconds.

Utah head coach Kyle Kepler is entering his sixth season at the helm of the Utes.

8

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

The successful momentum transferred into the track and field season as Kepler coached his athletes to 135 new personal bests between the indoor and outdoor seasons. The team finished fifth at the MWC Outdoor Championships. Senior Chelsea Shapard won the 400m hurdles for the third consecutive year, while junior Sarah Grimm and true freshman Langley Iverson won the hammer throw and high jump titles, respectively. Seven Utes were named to the all-conference team in four events.

Kepler and his staff coached two athletes (Shapard and Grimm) to the NCAA Track and Field National Championships. Shapard went on to qualify and compete at the 2009 USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships, finishing 21st overall. Iverson also qualified and competed at the 2009 USA Track and Field Junior National Championships.

2007-08 In 2007, Kepler coached the cross country team to an improved fifth-place finish in the MWC Championships, including three top-25 finishers. At the NCAA Mountain Region Championships, Abbott finished 24th overall and was named to the NCAA AllMountain Region team as a sophomore. Kellie Anderson and Lauren Endersen also garnered top-50 finishes at the NCAA Regional Championships.

Josefin Berg had a podium finish at the MWC Championships where she was an All-MWC performer after placing third with a hammer throw of 182-3. She qualified for the NCAA West Regional Championships and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Track and Field Championships, where she placed 22nd overall with a throw of 185-10.

The Utes finished sixth in the outdoor MWC Championships and seventh at the indoor MWC Championships.

2006-07 During the 2006 cross country season, Kepler guided freshman Abbott to a top-25 finish at the MWC Championships (23rd) and a top-50 finish at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships (46th). After only a year under Kepler’s coaching, the Utes improved to sixth-place in the team standings.

During the track season, Kepler saw seven all-MWC performers between the indoor and outdoor seasons, and coached two MWC outdoor champions: Shapard and Amanda Feigt. Both qualified for regionals along with Abbott, Mandie Rowell and Susan Atwater. Shapard and Feigt were also NCAA qualifiers during the 2007 outdoor season.

Feigt was a USA Track and Field national qualifier in the 400m hurdles where she was a semi-finalist. Abbott was junior national qualifier in the 800m run.

2005-06 The 2005 cross country runners also thrived under Kepler’s direction. While the Utes finished seventh at the MWC championships, he saw three personal-best performances from his team at the 6km conference championship meet.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

Kepler also guided two athletes to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2006. Vanessa Mortensen qualified in the hammer throw and just missed All-America accolades with a 10th-place finish (190-7), while Feigt was a first-time qualifier in the 400m hurdles (1:00.7). In addition to the four new school marks in 2006, Kepler, a Webster City, Iowa native, also helped his athletes set 144 new personal bests.

When 2006 was all said and done, he saw four of his athletes (Feigt twice, AJ Roby and Mortensen) garner all-conference accolades, upping his career total of all-conference athletes to 80. In addition to the all-conference honors, Kepler mentored another 19 conference champions.

In his first season, Kepler saw three athletes and his 4x100m relay team all set new school marks. Among the top performances in school history were Feigt’s 3,880-point performance in the pentathlon, Mortensen’s 205-foot throw in the hammer and Roby’s 47-3.5 effort in the shot put.

Personal Prior to coming to Utah, Kepler served as Northern Iowa’s head men’s and women’s cross country coach and assistant track and field coach for two seasons.

Head Coach Kyle Kepler

On the track, Shapard broke her own school record in the 400m hurdles with a time of 58.07 at the Arkansas Twilight. She also went on to win her second consecutive MWC 400m hurdle title. Shapard was named to the All-West Region Team after a third-place finish at the NCAA West Region Championships. At the NCAA Championships, she advanced to the semifinals and finished 15th overall.

Utah Cross Country

He was on staff at UNI for a total of seven years, serving as an assistant cross country coach for five years prior to being named head coach in 2003. Kepler was named the Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2003 after leading the Panthers to an MVC title. The Panthers won 12 MVC titles among cross country and indoor and outdoor track during his tenure with the Panthers.

Kepler has coached nine NCAA Division I All-America athletes and has had 20 of his athletes qualify for the NCAA Cross Country or Track and Field Championships. He served as the meet manager for the 2003 NCAA Cross Country Championships and Pre-Nationals meet. Kepler was also named the meet director of the annual A. D. Dickinson Relays, one of the largest high school indoor meets in the nation.

Kepler was a varsity athlete at University of Northern Iowa.

He took part in both cross country and track and field for the Panthers, serving as a team captain during the 1997-98 school year. As an athlete, Kepler was a member of five MVC championship teams. He earned all-conference honors nine times during his collegiate career, was a two-time all-region cross country selection and a six-time Academic All-MVC honoree.

Kepler holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the Northern Iowa. He earned his master’s degree in physical education in 2004 and graduated with a bachelor’s in secondary education-geography in 1998.

The Utes have excelled on the course and in the classroom under Kepler’s guidance.

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

9

Utah Cross Country The University of Utah cross country team begins the 2010 season with high expectations. The young Utes will use last years experience combined with veteran leadership to become a contender in the top echelon of the Mountain West Conference.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

Despite having the youngest roster in the league last season, the Utes were able to finish sixth at the conference meet. At the MWC Championships in 2009, six of Utah’s eight athletes that participated were freshmen. In the 2010 season Utah will be returning seven of those athletes as well as senior Alyssa Abbott, who is coming off a redshirt year in 2009.

Preview

Not only will the 2010 squad include many veterans from last season, it will also have four new freshmen. With that combination, the 2010 cross country season looks very promising for the University of Utah.

“Last year we were young and everything was a teaching moment. We are still very young, but this year we have a veteran presence at the meets, in Abbott that we did not have last year,” said Kepler.

This season, Kepler will be relying on the now veteran runners to lead the team and also help the new freshmen have an impact.

“This year we also have some talented freshmen coming in, most of whom have had good summer workouts,” said Kepler.

In the MWC Preseason Coach’s Poll, Utah was picked to finish in fourth place (receiving 37 points).

“After last year’s sixth-place finish, that shows respect from the coaches, because they know what we have returning this year,” said Kepler.

In 2009, Abbott was named to the USTFCCCA Division I Scholar Athlete of the Year list and is a five-time NCAA West Region qualifier on the track.

During the 2008 season, Abbott qualified for the NCAA Championships after placing ninth at the region championships. Despite an IT band injury, Abbott finished 76th out of 255 participants in the NCAA National Championship race (6k) with a time of 21:00.5, barely missing All-American status by 19 seconds.

Earlier that season, Abbott finished fourth at the MWC Championships to earn first-team All-MWC honors. The coaches decided to redshirt her for the 2009 cross country season in order to allow her IT band to fully recover. This year Abbott looks to improve on her time and lead Utah to a successful season.

Not far behind Abbott will be rising sophomores Amanda Mergaert, Jenny McCune and Lucy Yates.

Last year all three were put into leadership roles, despite being freshmen. They were able to gain experience at the collegiate level that will make them key contributors this season.

Mergaert had a strong finish to last year’s season which she hopes will continue into the 2010 season.

She led the Utes in the final four meets of the season including a third-place finish at the NevadaReno Invitational (5k) with a time of 20:17. Mergaert would not only have a good freshman year in cross country but also did very well in track & field.

During the indoor season, she ran the lead leg of Utah’s MWC champion distance medley relay and also finished as the runner-up in the mile. In June, Mergaert finished fifth in the final round of the 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:35.37 at the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Junior Championships.

Yates will also be one to watch in the 2010 season.

In track & field, Yates finished 23rd at the 2010 NCAA Championships in the 800m event.

Alyssa Abbott (above) and Amanda Mergaert (right) return to lead Utah Cross Country in 2010.

10

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

Utah Cross Country Yates returned to her native England this summer, where she won the English Under-23 800-meter title.

After a summer of training, Yates will get another chance to make it to the 2010 NCAA Championships, only this time it will be in cross country.

Kepler will also be looking for contributions from McCune. She had a steady freshman year and will be a solid contender for the number two spot behind Abbott. McCune led the team in the first three meets of the 2009 season. She finished 11th with a time of 17:56.8 at the Utah State Open, her first collegiate competition.

The Utes will then have a week off to polish up before competing in the Bobcat Invitational, Stanford Invitational and Nevada-Reno Dual.

The final four meets of the season include the NCAA Pre Nationals, MWC Championships, NCAA Regional Championships in Salt Lake City, and conclude with the NCAA Championships.

The 2010 team has the key ingredients for a successful year.

With solid talent returning from last returning from last year and the great veteran presence of Abbott, this year looks to be a promising season for the Utes.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

This year the cross country team will enjoy a great deal Check the cross country homepage at www.utahutes. of depth. In addition to the top runners from last year. com for up-to-date information on the team and for Coach The Utes return sophomore Megan Combe, sophomore Kepler’s blog at http://www.utahtrackxc.blogspot.com/.

Chantel Hunt and senior Alexis Davis. Freshman AuraLea Fain, Alexis Laws, and Rebekah Winterton could make an immediate impact. They all come from outstanding championship high school programs.

Preview

At the end of the 2010 season, Utah has a distinct advantage for athletes to qualify for the NCAA Championships. The Utes will compete at NCAA Mountain Region Championships on their home course in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“This will be a great opportunity for our athletes to qualify on our home turf,” said Kepler. “And now every five years we will host NCAA Regionals, which guarantees every Utah athlete at least one chance in their career to qualify in front of our loyal fans.”

Utah will begin its season competing at the Utah State Open, in Logan, Utah.

Megan Combe will be a part of a strong core of sophomore runners for the Utes.

Jenny McCune will compete for the No. 2 spot during the upcoming season.

Lucy Yates qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 800-meter race last spring.

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

11

Utah Cross Country

Roster

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

Name

Yr.

Hometown

Alyssa Abbott

R-Sr. Reno, Nev.

Previous School Galena H.S.

Brooke Casagranda Jr.

Elko, Nev.

Elko H.S.

Megan Combe

So.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Skyline H.S.

Alexis Davis

Sr.

Aurora, Ohio

Aurora H.S.

McKenzie Dean

So.

Pahrump, Nev.

Pahrump H.S.

Nikki Dotter

Fr.

East Wenatchee, Wash.

Eastmont H.S.

AuraLea Fain

Fr.

Billings, Mont.

Senior H.S.

Chantel Hunt

So.

Window Rock, Ariz.

Navajo Pines H.S.

Alexis Laws

Fr.

American Fork, Utah

American Fork H.S.

Jenny McCune

So.

Sandy, Utah

Alta H.S.

Amanda Mergaert So.

Shelby Township, Mich.

Utica H.S.

Rachel Schmalzle

So.

Hawley, Pa.

Wallenpaupack H.S.

Carly Selleck

Sr.

Billings, Mont.

Senior H.S. /Montana State

Kate Stringfellow

Fr.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Highland H.S.

Hilary Troutner

So.

Provo, Utah

Timpview H.S.

Adrienne Wilson

R-Fr. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Resurrection Catholic S.S.

Rebekah Winterton Fr.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Lucy Yates

St. Albans, Hertsfordshire, U.K. St. Albans S.S.

So.

Skyline H.S.

2010 Utah Cross Country Seniors

Alyssa Abbott Reno, Nev. Galena H.S.

12

Alexis Davis Aurora, Ohio Aurora H.S. 2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

Carly Selleck Billings, Mont.

Senior H.S.

Alyssa Abbott

Utah Cross Country

Sr. • Reno, Nev. • Galena H.S. Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review Senior (2009): Redshirt season.

The Utes

Junior (2008): Set a new personal best and qualified for nationals at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships after finishing in 20:52.4 and earning ninth place overall … at the NCAA National Championships, finished 76th out of 255 competitors (21:00.5) and missed All-American status by 19 seconds … competed at the NCAA Pre-Nationals meet (6K) with a 21:14 time for a 41st-place finish … placed fourth overall at the Mountain West Conference Championships (6K) with a time of 21:37 … started the season at the Stanford Invite with a 31st-place finish after completing the course in 22:20.

Sophomore (2007): Utah’s top finisher at the 2007 NCAA Regional Championships for a 24th-place finish (21:41.3) … also earned Utah’s top finish (20th) at MWC Championships with a 22:37 finish … in the Chile Pepper Invitational, ran a 22:19 for 57th place … opened the season with a 21st-place finish at the Montana State Invitational with a 17:53 run ... earned the MWC Scholar-Athlete award.

Freshman (2006): Led the team with a 22nd-place (22:48.2) finish at the MWC Championships ... also the team’s top finisher at the NCAA Regional meet (46th, 22:45.9) ... claimed 85th at the Chile Pepper Invite, clocking the event in 22:24 ... took 16th (24:00.6) at the Utah Fall Twilight and fifth (16:06) at the season-opening Reno Chase Race.

High School: All-region and all-state in cross country (2002-05) ... four-time allregion and all-state selection in track and field ... state runner-up 800 meter dash, 1600m and 3200m at the 2006 state track and field meet ... helped team to Nevada state championship in track and field in 2006.

Personal: Daughter of John and Juli Abbott ... brother runs track at Washington State University … majoring in Exercise and Sport Science with an emphasis on exercise physiology ... born April 5, 1988.

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

13

Utah Cross Country

Brooke Casagranda Jr. • Elko, Nev. • Elko H.S.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review Sophomore (2009): Opened the season at the Utah State Open (3 mi.) for a 46th-place finish with a 21:06.7 … participated in the Fleet Feet Invite (3 mi.) with a time of 21:12 for 103rd … competed at the Bob Firman Invitational (5k), crossing the finish line at 21:28.75 for 58th.

The Utes

Freshman (2008): Redshirt season.

High School: Personal bests include 5000m run in 19:41, 3200 meter run in 11:37, 1600m run in 5:28, 800m run in 2:27 … earned the Wendy’s High School Heisman award … 2008 class valedictorian … graduated with an advanced diploma … member of the Key Club, National Honors Society and student council … also participated in soccer and basketball.

Personal: Daughter of Curtis and Randi Casagranda … majoring in Biology with plans to attend medical school … hobbies include hiking, biking, and fishing … born December 1, 1989.

Megan Combe

So. • Salt Lake City, Utah • Skyline H.S.

Freshman (2009): Finished 23rd at the Utah State Open (3 mi.) after completing course with a time of 18:31.7 … competed at the Bob Firman Invitational (5k) for a time of 19:21.75 and 27th place … placed 20th with a time of 21:34 at the WAC Preview Invitational (5k) … participated at MWC Championships (6k) for a time of 23.49.4 and a 43rd-place finish … earned academic MWC honors.

High School: Personal bests include the 1600m in 5:13, 800m in 2:16, 400m in 58 seconds … set a career high in the 5000m as a senior with a time of 19:25 … lettered four years in cross country and three years in track and field … team captain for cross country and track and field during the 2008-09 season … member of the cross country varsity team (9th-12th grade) and varsity track team (10th-12th grade).

Personal: Daughter of John and Laura Combe … undecided on major … hobbies include hiking and traveling … born January 10, 1991.

14

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

Alexis Davis

Utah Cross Country

Sr. • Aurora, Ohio • Aurora H.S. Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review Junior (2009): Completed Utah State Open (3 mi.) with the time of 18:44.8 for 27th place … competed at Chile Pepper Invite (6k), crossing the line at 117th with a time of 23:31.92 … ran at the MWC Championships (6k) and finished 69th place with a time of 25:37.8 … achieved Academic MWC honors.

Sophomore (2008): Competed in the Montana State Open, finishing the three-mile course in 19:20 … suffered an ankle sprain during the MWC Championships, but finished in 25:26.

The Utes

Freshman (2007): Competed in the MWC Championships for a 40th-place finish with a 24:02 run … participated in the NCAA Championships for a 23:49 finish and 101st place … in the BYU Invitational, ran a 20:14 race for a 42nd place finish … opened the season with a 35th-place finish (20:00) at the Utah State Open … earned the MWC Scholar-Athlete award … maintained a 4.0 GPA. High School: Four-time all-conference cross country runner and a two-time all-conference track athlete ... won four letters in both cross country and track ... won the Ohio High School Athletic Associate Student Athlete Award ... class salutatorian.

Personal: Daughter of Tim and Julie Davis ... born February 23, 1990 ... majoring in pharmacy.

McKenzie Dean

So. • Pahrump, Nev. • Pahrump H.S.

Freshman (2009): Redshirt season.

High School: Personal bests include 3200m in 11:47, 1600m in 5:16, 800m in 2:20, 400m in :58, and the 5000m in 18:46 … eight-time state champion: 3200m (3), 1600m (1), 800m (1), cross country (2) and team champion (1) … team MVP in 2008 and 2009 … MVP of the Virgin Valley Track and Field Invitational in 2009 … Las Vegas Track Classic winner in the 3200m run … Virgin Valley overall winner in cross country … UNLV Winter Break Meet winner in the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m events … 5000m winner at the University of Oregon Twilight … winner of the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m events at the Hillsboro Oregon Twilight … Las Vegas Review Journal Athlete of the Year for cross country in 2007 and 2008 … made the Southern Nevada Honor Roll from 2006-2009.

Personal: Daughter of Deborah Carle and Scott Dean … born March 11, 1991 … majoring in Mass Communication with an emphasis in broadcast journalism and Sports Psychology.

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

15

Utah Cross Country

Nikki Dotter

Fr. • East Wenatchee, Wash. • Eastmont H.S. Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

High School: Competed on track and field team … won state championship in 800-meter event in 2008 and 2009 … member of the 2007 women’s state championship team … member of all-city team for soccer … personal bests include: 2:13 (800m), 5:07 (1600m), and 56.7 sec. (400m) … played on varsity soccer team for four years.

The Utes

Personal: Daughter of Ed and Carolyn Dotter … born September 7, 1990 … majoring in Elementary Education with the desire and intends to become a kindergarten teacher … second of four children.

AuraLea Fain

Fr. • Billings, Mont. • Senior H.S.

High School: Three time all-state cross country selection … six-time all-state track and field honoree … high school team won state championship during freshman and senior years … member of 2006 team that competed at Nike Team Nationals … lettered all four years in track and cross country … personal bests include: 18:01 (3 mi.), 2:18 (800m), 5:17 ( 1 mi.), 11:33 (3200m), and 36:23 (10k) … member of National Honors Society and Environmental Club … graduated with academic honors.

Personal: Daughter of Bruce and Patty Fain... has four siblings … majoring in Exercise Sport Science … intends to become a Physicians Assistant … hobbies include rock climbing, hiking, singing and slack lining … born September 12,1991.

16

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

Chantel Hunt

Utah Cross Country

So. • Crystal, N.M. • Navajo Pines H.S. Freshman (2009): Competed at Fleet Feet Invite (3 mi.) with a time of 19:10 for 45th … best 5k time of the season was 20:15.85 for 43rd place at the Bob Firman Invite … finished 66th at MWC Championships with a time of 25:15.7.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

High School: Personal best in 5000m cross country run is 19:20 … has personal bests of: 2:27 in the 800m, 5:25 in 1600m and 12:14 in the 3200m run … earned most valuable runner for Navajo Pine High School for four years … earned Navajo Times Cross Country Female Runner of the Year … earned 2A 3200m state champion in 2006 … graduated as senior class valedictorian.

Personal: Daughter of Delores Hunt … majoring in Business Administration … hobbies include baking, cooking, shopping, camping, hiking, and riding ATV’s … born March 7, 1990.

The Utes

Alexis Laws

Fr. • American Fork, Utah • American Fork H.S. High School: All-State honoree four years in a row … finished in top 10 at the state meet four years in a row … team won state championship … voted team most valuable player four all four years of high school … took first place in senior race at the 2009 Footlocker Championships ... competed in distance events on track and field team.

Personal: Daughter of Roger and Tracy Laws … major is undecided … hobbies include snowboarding and drawing … second oldest of six children … born June 26, 1992.

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

17

Utah Cross Country

Amanda Mergaert

So. • Shelby Township, Mich. • Utica H.S. Freshman (2009): First Utah runner to cross the finish in final four meets of 2009 season … earned academic All-MWC honors … finished 13th with a time of 17:59.8 at the Utah State Open (3 mi.)… completed WAC Preview Invite (5k) third overall with a time of 20:17 … season-best 6k time at the Chile Pepper Invite with a time of22:07.47 for 32nd place … finished NCAA Mountain Regional 57th with a time of 22:29.5.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

The Utes

High School: Personal bests include 400m dash in :58 and 800m run in 2:15 … earned third place in the 800m run at 2008 State Track Meet and fifth-place in 2009 … member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and National Youth Leadership program … McDonald’s Athlete-Scholar and Utica Academic Scholar.

Personal: Daughter of Dan and Sharon Mergaert … majoring in health sciences … hobbies include biking, reading and traveling … born September 4, 1991.

Jenny McCune

So. • Sandy, Utah • Alta H.S. Freshman (2009): Led Utah in first three meets of the year … finished 30th at the MWC Championships (6k) with a time of 22:55.0 … competed at NCAA Mountain Regional (6k) and crossed the line 92nd with a time of 23:13.5 … in first collegiate race, she led the team with an 11th- place finish for a time of 17:56.8 at the Utah State Open (3 mi.) … her best 5k time, she finished 21st with a time of 19:06.91 at Bob Firman Invitational … earned academic all-conference honors.

High School: Personal bests include the 5000m run in 19:40, 1600m in 5:12.96 and the 800m in 2:17.77 … earned Female Athlete of the Year during her senior year … holds the 4x400m relay school record … lettered all four years in track and soccer … won three consecutive state soccer championships with the Alta High School soccer team … graduated with a 4.0 GPA … was a member of the academic all-state team for cross country, track, and soccer.

Personal: Daughter of Mark and Liz McCune … uncle Dean Hamilton ran the 800m for the University of Utah … undecided on a major … hobbies include horseback riding, gardening, playing guitar and snowboarding … born September 27, 1990.

18

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

Utah Cross Country

Rachel Schmalzle

So. • Hawley, Pa. • WallenpaupackH.S. Freshman (2009): Finished third for Utah at Fleet Feet Invite (3 mi.) with a time of 19:01 and 40th place overall … was fourth Ute across the line at the NCAA Mountain Regional (6k) with a time of 24:38.2 for 125th overall … best 6k time came at the Chile Pepper Invite with a time of 23:49.86 for 134th place.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

High School: Personal bests include the 5000m run in 18:45 and the three-mile in 18:25 … set a career best of 5:14 in the 1600m and 11:35 in the 3200m run … four-time district runner-up and state qualifier … four-time allregion team … Lackawanna League Runner of the Year 2006 through 2008 …

Times Tribune All-Region Runner of the Year from 2006 to 2008.

Personal: Daughter of Ronald and Mary Schmalzle … hobbies include biking and skiing … majoring in biology with plans to attend medical school … born October 2, 1990.

The Utes

Carly Selleck

Sr. • Billings, Mont. • Billings West H.S. Junior (2009): Started season with a 16th-place finish at Utah State (3 mi.) after completing course in 18:13.5 … after competing in the Utah State Open, Selleck sustained an injury that ended her season.

Sophomore (2008): Set a personal best at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships 6K with a time of 23:03.5 … contributed to Utah’s third-place finish at the Colorado State Open (18th, 20:19.6) … finished the MWC Championships 6K in 23:57.

At Montana State Freshman (2007): Missed fall season due to a stress fracture.

High School: Placed third in 2004 state cross country championships … placed seventh in 2006 state cross country meet … top freshman and MVP in 2003 … Most Inspirational in 2005 … captain in 2005-2006 … set the Billings West High School State Record in 2004 for the two-mile (11:18) … two-mile state champion 2006-2007 … member of the champion 2006 state class AA track team and back-to-back swimming champion team (2004-2005) … holds the Riverfront Home Course Record 17:42 (2004) … also participated in swimming and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Daughter of Thomas and Richelle Selleck … majoring in physical education with plans to go into teaching physical education … hobbies include running, reading and swimming … born on April 13, 1989.

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

19

Utah Cross Country

Kate Stringfellow

Fr. • Salt Lake City, Utah • Highland H.S. Freshman (2010): Will redshirt.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

High School: All-state cross country selection three years in a row…academic all-state … team captain for two years … region champion in cross country … fourth place overall at state cross country meet … personal records include 18:08 (3 mi.) and 19:35 (5k) … Highland High School Female Athlete of the Year in 2009 … won Senior Highland Ram award in 2010 … three-time region champion in 1600m track and field … region champion in track and field for the 3200m and 4x400 medley relay and medley relay … was class valedictorian with a 4.0 cumulative GPA… also played volleyball … and was a member of the National Honor Society.

The Utes

Personal: Daughter of Brent & Laurie Stringfellow … born February 17, 1992 … youngest of six siblings…hobbies include playing piano, reading and playing the guitar.

Hilary Troutner

So. • Provo, Utah • Timpview H.S. Freshman (2009): Finished 36th at Utah State Open (3 mi.) with a time of 19:35.8 … season-best three mile time was at Fleet Feet invitational with a time of 19:26 for 54th place … competed at MWC Championships (6k) with a time of 24:46.8 for 61st.

High School: Personal bests include the three-mile in 18:07, 1600m in 5:23.01 and 3200m in 11:35.74 … placed second in the 2008 Foot locker West Regional Senior Race … state qualifier in the 1600m and 3200m and 1600m medley relay … region champion in the medley relay, running the 800m … team captain for two years on track team and senior captain on the cross country team … MVP in track and cross country … Rookie of the Year in cross country during junior year.

Personal: Daughter of Stacy and Brent Troutner … majoring in Elementary Education … hobbies include painting, cooking, biking, camping and hiking … born January 24, 1991.

20

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

Utah Cross Country

Adrienne Wilson

R-Fr. • Kitchener, Ontario, Canda • Resurrection Catholic S.S. Freshman (2009): Redshirt season.

High School: Member of the 4x400m team that won a bronze medal in 2007 at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) … placed 12th in the OFSAA cross country meet in 2006 … MVP in cross country for four years.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

Personal: Daughter of Stu and Janine Wilson … majoring in secondary education … hobbies include running, camping, snowboarding and traveling … born September 18, 1991.

The Utes

Rebekah Winterton Fr. • Salt Lake City, Utah • Skyline H.S.

High School: All-State two years in a row for cross country … lettered four years in cross country … received two letters in track and field ... member of National Honors Society … was a flyer on cheerleading squad that placed first at regionals and fifth at nationals.

Personal: Daughter of Reed & Sherri Winterton … major is undecided … hobbies include dental assisting, organizing and playing the piano … born April 19, 1992.

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

21

Utah Cross Country Lucy Yates

R-So. • St. Albans, Hertfordshire, U.K. • St. Albans Academy Freshman (2009): Because of long summer track, did not start season until WAC Preview (Oct. 10), where she finished 19th overall with a time of 21:32 … completed MWC Championships with a time of 24:07.3 for 48th place … in track and field, finished 23rd at the 2010 NCAA Championships in the 800m event.

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

The Utes

Freshman (2008): Redshirt.

High School: South England 1,500 meter champion in 2006 … came in second in the South England Indoors in 2007 … English Schools finalist 2004-08 … earned a second-place finish for South England 800m race in 2008 … personal records include 2:09 for 800m and 4:36 for 1,500m run.

Personal: Daughter of Peter and Rosemary Yates … majoring in history … born April 23, 1990.

22

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

Utah Cross Country AIAW All-Americans 1981

Jill Molen

1981

Carla Pittelkour

1981

Mary Lou Sedgwick

Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Review

NCAA Qualifiers Jill Molen

25th*

1987

Celsa Bowman

16:48.80

23rd*

1999

Johanna Nielsen

17:49.40

72nd

2004

Elise Greenwood-Bahr

21:45.10

79th

2008

Alyssa Abbott

21:00.50

76th

* denotes NCAA All-American

NCAA All-Region Performers since 1998 2008

Alyssa Abbott, Chelsea DiGrazia

2007

Alyssa Abbott

2004

Elise Greenwood-Bahr

1999

Johanna Nielsen

1998

Johanna Nielsen

Jill Molen is Utah’s only two-time national meet qualifier, running in the AIAW Nationals in 1981 then the NCAA Championships in 192.

Award Winners

1982

MWC All-Conference Performers 1999 Johanna Nielsen (First Team) 2002 Charity Vernon (Second Team) 2003 Elise Greenwood-Bahr (First Team) 2004 Elise Greenwood-Bahr (First Team) 2008 Alyssa Abbott (First Team) Chelsea DiGrazia (Second Team)

Chelsea DiGrazia earned NCAA All-Academic recognition and All-MWC honors in 2008.

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide

23

University of Utah Women’s Cross Country 2009 Meet-By-Meet Results

Utah Cross Country Intro.

Coach Kep Preview The Utes Utes Review

Alyssa Abbott Brooke Casagranda Megan Combe Alexis Davis McKenzie Dean Samantha Gaffney Kacee Hildebrandt Chantel Hunt Jenny McCune Amanda Mergaert Sydney Osmun Zoe Roy Rachel Schmalzle Carly Selleck Chelsea Shapard Hilary Troutner Adrienne Wilson Lucy Yates

2009 Results

2009 Team Finish 2008 Team Finish

24

RS-Sr. So. Fr. Jr. RS-Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. RS-Fr.

Utah State Sept. 5

Montana State Sept. 19

Bob Firman Sept. 26

Univ. of Nevada Oct. 10

Chile Pepper Invite Oct. 17

3mi DNR 21:06.7/ 46th 18:31.7/ 23rd 18:44.8/ 27th DNR DNR 18:31.0/ 22nd 19:22.1/ 34th 17:56.8/ 11th 17:59.8/ 13th 19:28.1/ 35th DNR 18:50.1/ 29th 18:13.5/ 16th DNR 19:35.8/ 36th DNR DNR

3mi DNR 21:12/ 103rd 19:16/ 47th 19:09/ 44th DNR DNR DNR 19:10/ 45th 18:16/ 22nd 18:55/ 37th 19:27/ 55th DNR 19:01/ 40th DNR DNR 19:26/ 54th DNR DNR

5K DNR 21:28.75/ 58th 19:21.75/ 27th 19:44.62/ 36th DNR DNR 20:03.87/ 40th 20:15.85/ 43rd 19:06.91/ 21st 19:28.29/ 30th 19:57.87/ 39th DNR 19:34.46/ 33rd DNR DNR DNR DNR DNR

5K DNR DNR 21:34/ 20th 21:19/ 16th DNR DNR 22:31/ 24th 21:25/ 17th 20:42/ 9th 20:17/ 3rd 21:17/ 15th DNR DNR DNR DNR DNR DNR 21:32/ 19th

6K DNR DNR 23:19.73/ 98th 23:31.92/ 117th DNR DNR DNR 24:25.06/ 185th 22:46.95/ 62nd 22:07.47/ 32nd 23:22.76/ 102nd DNR 23:49.86/ 134th DNR DNR DNR DNR 23:18.76/ 95th

MWC Championships Oct.31 6K DNR DNR 23:49.4/ 43rd 25:37.8/ 69th DNR DNR DNR 25:15.7/ 66th 22:55.0/ 30th 22:53.1/ 28th 24:43.6/ 60th DNR DNR DNR DNR 24:46.8/ 61st DNR 24:07.3/ 48th

3rd of 3 3rd of 3

6th of 13 5th of 8

5th of 6 DNR

3rd of 3 DNR

13th of 37 DNR

6th of 9 3rd of 9

NCAA Regional Nov. 14 6K DNR DNR DNR DNR DNR DNR DNR DNR 23:13.5/ 92nd 22:29.5/ 57th 24:16.4/ 119th DNR 24:38.2/ 125th DNR DNR 24:57.7/ 129th DNR DNR

19th of 20 6th of 18

MWC Cross Country Championship Results

NCAA Mountain Region Cross Country Championship Results

1.

New Mexico......................... 24

2.

BYU......................................... 45

3.

Colorado State.................... 64

4.

Air Force.............................. 124

5.

Wyoming............................. 165

6.

Utah.....................................195

7.

TCU...................................... 196

8.

San Diego State................. 207

9.

UNLV.................................... 210

1. Colorado . ................................ 48 2. Texas Tech ............................... 53 3. BYU........................................... 114 4. UTEP ........................................ 116 5. New Mexico . ......................... 120 6. Colorado State . .................... 145 7. Northern Arizona ................... 176 8. Utah Valley ............................ 261 9. New Mexico State ................ 262 10. Southern Utah . .................... 266 11. Weber State . ....................... 308 12. Montana .............................. 348 13. Air Force ............................... 376 14. Utah State ............................ 381 15. Idaho State .......................... 392 16. Nevada ................................ 426 17. Wyoming .............................. 463 18. Montana State .................... 497 19. Utah . .....................................522 20.Northern Colorado................ 551

2010 Utah Cross Country Media Guide