BYU cross country team races to national title
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — For the second time in three years, BYU's Cougar women were named national champions in cross country. The program became the first in BYU history to pick up two national titles (1997, 1999). Past titles have been awarded to men's volleyball (1999), football (1984), men's golf (1981), and men's track and field (1970).
Coach Patrick Shane instructed his team before their regional meet to run in a pack through the bulk of the race, a strategy that produced a dominating victory. Coach Shane decided to stick with that approach in the national title race, a coaching move that proved instrumental in leading the Cougars to the title. Less than 20 seconds separated the team's top five runners, with BYU's second through fifth runners finishing within six seconds of each other.
Senior Elizabeth Jackson finished first for the team in 11th place overall in 16:59. She was followed by Kara Ormond in 16th (17:11), Tara Rohatinsky in 17th (17:13), Sharolyn Shields in 23rd (17:16) and Laura Heiner in 26th (17:17). All five athletes were awarded All-American honors following the Nov. 22. race.
In the emotional celebration after the results were announced, Coach Shane gave all the credit to his talented lineup. "This is easily the best team I have ever coached, no question. The team unity, spirit and feeling was very positive and it carried them through today. It's like nothing I've seen in over 20 years of coaching. It was one of the most exciting races I've ever seen. We were up front in a pack all the way."
Jackson credited teamwork for the victory. "We said last night in a team meeting that we wanted to run for each other and that is what we did. We ran together as a team."
She became the first runner in BYU history to be named All-American four times in cross country.
Ormond, who achieved All-American status for the first time, added: "This was not an individual race, it was a team win. It was an incredible experience. I'm sure nothing will ever be like this feeling."
