X-country a success despite regional meet
The Utah State University men’s and women’s cross country teams wrapped up their seasons at the NCAA Regional Meet in Provo on Nov. 10 with the men’s team finishing seventh and the women finishing ninth.
Although the teams were disappointed by the results from regionals, they were still upbeat on the overall progress made for cross country at Utah State.
The men’s team, led by runners Brick Bergeson, Steve Prescott, Dusan Hlubocky, Mitch Zundel and Mike Nielson propelled the Aggies in the national rankings for the first time in school history.
“I think that even though it ended in a disappointing fashion, this season was a great success,” Nielson said. “I was very skeptical when our captain Mitch [Zundel] and the team suggested that we make being nationally ranked a goal, but I kept quiet. We achieved that goal and I think that it will help the program in so many ways.”
Most runners said their favorite moments of the year were the tournaments at Stanford and Notre Dame. USU finished second in both of those meets, losing only to host teams Stanford and Notre Dame, who were both highly ranked nationally.
“It was incredible because I realized that the goals we had set were feasible and not just unrealistic dreams,” Nielson said.
Steve Prescott said, “The [Notre Dame] course was wet and muddy, but our top four runners were all running together near the front for the last couple miles and all you heard from the crowd was, ‘Look, Utah State has four guys,’ or ‘Oh no, there’s four from Utah State.’ It was great to hear that amazement from the crowd.”
Prescott said there is a difference between this year and those in the past, starting with enthusiasm.
“There is a lot more enthusiasm for it now,” he said. “Students actually know about our cross country team. I heard students talking about the team, when they didn’t even know that I was on the team.”
As they look ahead to next year, the men’s team is very excited, Nielson said.
Even Bergeson, who is the lone graduating senior from this year’s group, anticipates great things from next year’s team.
“I will graduate, but feel the team will achieve much more next year,” Bergeson said.
Prescott, a junior, is excited as well.
“We failed at our goal [of making nationals], but you only really fail if you give up,” Prescott said. “We are going to be back next year, and we are only going to be stronger.”
The women’s team also performed well all year led by Shae Messersmith, Christi Howell, Melanie McClellan, Kristen Coombs, Billie Winter, Sharee Hatch and Stephanie Bierwolf.
They won the Utah State Invitational and finished no lower than ninth at any other meet they competed in throughout the year despite losing their top two runners from the previous season.