Howell, McKenna dominate XC meet
The Utah State Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams finished their seasons strong at NCAA Mountain Regionals in one of the deepest, most competitive races they’ve run this year. The qualifying race for the NCAA national championships was hosted by the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday. The men finished as a team with a solid seventh place among 16 teams. Every point mattered for the Aggies, as they finished just one point ahead of eighth-place UTEP, and just four points behind the University of Wyoming. Earning a little bit of revenge, the Aggies were able to outpace 12th-place New Mexico State, which barely edged Utah State by one point at the WAC championships two weeks ago.
Blazing the way for the men was sophomore Daniel Howell in 18th place, followed closely by junior Brian McKenna. Howell and McKenna finished the 10k (6.2 miles) course in 30:20.6 and 30:24.1, respectively.
“We ran good on the men’s side. Daniel and Brian ran absolutely great. Any time you’re in the top 20 in that meet it’s a great accomplishment,” head coach Gregg Gensel said.
“As far as the team goes, seventh place is pretty good, especially considering the men were ranked 10th going in,” he added.
Howell’s stellar performance was .4 seconds away from qualifying him for an at-large bid to run at NCAA Nationals.
“The kids really stepped it up,” Gensel said. “They came into the race thinking they had something to prove, and I think they did.”
On the women’s side, Ruth Hilton finished as frontrunner for the Aggies in 42nd place, running the 6k (approximately 3.7 miles) course in 21:54.0. The ladies placed 17th among a deep field of solid teams.
“The field on the women’s side was deeper than on the men’s side, but for Ruth to finish in the top 40 is pretty darn good,” Gensel said. The Utah State women were able outrace conference rival Nevada, which placed 18th. New Mexico State, who the ladies beat in their last race at the WAC championship, placed 13th.
“We could have done a lot better,” Hilton said. “You get what you get, but we had a pretty good turnout at WAC (championships). It gives a me a little more motivation to improve. Not ending on a high makes us want to work harder and do better next season.”
This race marks the pinnacle of the cross country season for the Utah State harriers. Hilton and the athletes will enjoy a much-needed respite before gearing up for the indoor track and field season, which begins at the first of the year.
“It’s nice to have a break,” she said. “Yesterday I went mountain biking instead of going for a run. It’s exciting to see that you have more ground to cover and start a new season.”
– mike.rees@aggiemail.usu.edu