Cowboys second, Cowgirls sixth at Fort Collins Invite

Sophomore Amos Bowen and junior Holly Page collected top-five finishes individually to pace the University of Wyoming cross country teams at the Colorado State Invitational on Friday night at Hughes Stadium. The Cowboys finished second with 65 points in the talented seven-team field, while the Cowgirls were fifth at 100 points.

Page led the women's 5-kilometer race with less than a mile to go, but was outkicked by an Air Force runner to finish second at 18:08, while Bowen covered the men's 5-kilometer course in 15:01 to claim fourth in his first cross country meet for the Pokes.

"Amos [Bowen] was definitely the surprise of the day," UW head coach Bryan Berryhill said. "We've been seeing his talent in practice, but it's nice to see that translate to a race. Overall the men had a very good pack from one to five and that's what we were looking for. The women put forth a good effort for a young team, but just have a lack of collegiate racing experience. They'll get that in the next few weeks. Holly [Page] had a great start to the season. She's fully into our training and came into this meet a little tired, but competed very well at the front of the field."

Senior Garrett Zans paced the Cowboy contingent for most of the race, before Bowen passed him in the final stretch. Zans finished seventh overall in 15:06 for the second Cowboy in the top 10. Sophomore Aaron Derner crossed the line in 15:16 for 13th, while senior Mike Banks was 16th at 15:18 and sophomore Mike Seas rounded out UW's scorers in 25th at 15:33. UW had just a 32-second gap from its first to fifth runner.

On the women's side, freshmen Megan Brunette and Ali Walker were UW's second and third runners. Brunette covered the course in 18:52 for 16th and Walker was right behind her at 18:58 for 20th. Sophomore Audra DeStefanowas 30th in 19:16 and junior Devon England was UW's final scorer in 19:29 for 36th.

Wyoming continues its season at the Utah Valley Invitational on Friday in Orem, Utah.

2013 Colorado State Invite
Men's Team Results
1. Air Force - 29
2. Wyoming - 65
3. Western State - 75
4. Colorado State - 81
5. Colorado Mines - 91
6. Metro State - 167
7. Northern Colorado - 224

Wyoming Men Individual Results
4. Amos Bowen - 15:01
7. Garrett Zans - 15:06
13. Aaron Derner - 15:16
16. Mike Banks - 15:18
25. Mike Seas - 15:33
36. Dylan Morin - 15:45
47. Michael Kesy - 15:53
65. Michael Rotellini - 16:15
105. Bryce Snow - 17:41

Women's Team Results
1. Air Force - 53
2. Colorado State - 75
3. Western State - 80
4. Metro State - 98
5. Wyoming - 100
6. Northern Colorado - 117
7. Colorado Mines - 170

Wyoming Women Individual Results
2. Holly Page - 18:08
16. Megan Brunette - 18:52
20. Ali Walker - 18:58
30. Audra DeStefano - 19:16
36. Devon England - 19:29
47. Emily Swigart - 19:56
50. Cassidy Meade - 20:01