Wolverines finish 3rd at the BYU Autumn Classic

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Utah Valley’s men’s and women’s cross country team hit the track again as they competed in the 2012 BYU Autumn Classic Invitational at Cascade Golf Course last weekend.

The Invitational featured BYU, Weber State, Idaho State, Utah Valley and the University of Minnesota as they competed for the top spot in a 4 mile run, for men, and a 5k for women.

Both men and women Wolverines placed 3rd overall in the Classic with 78 points.

“It was a great race,” said headc coach Scott Houle. “It’s always fun going against teams like [Weber State, Idaho State, BYU and the University of Minnesota] and having the opportunity for the athletes to race against other teammates in front of family and friends. It was a really good experience for them.”

BYU’s men won the race with 15 points as the University of Minnesota took second with 55 points. Weber State women took first in the race with 17 points as BYU’s women took second with 72 points.

Junior Cliff Nielsen and Senior Krystal Harper both finished in eighth place leading the Wolverines to their third overall placement in the Classic.

“Individually Cliff Nielsen and Krystal Harper are number one on our team,” Houle said. “They’ve had really good races and have executed very well and are building up to have a successful season themselves.”

Overall, the Wolverines have been sprinting their way to a successful season and are looking forward to more opportunities to make their way to the top as they are feeling more confident every day.

“We had some good performances from the kids that did really well,” Houle said. “I think that they’re getting better and better and being more prepared for upcoming championships.”

The Wolverines head to Minnesota on the Sept, 29, to compete in the Roy Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota.

“Our goal is to go there and get used to the big atmosphere,” Houle said. “That’s what the kids need for when they go to the NCAA and other big races so they race well and continue to get better.”