MSUB Signs “A” Cross-Country Champ (5/31/07)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State University Billings cross-country and track coach Dave Coppock announced Thursday that Dianna Stanley of Miles City, Mont., has signed a national letter of intent to run for the Yellowjackets.  Stanley was the Montana Class “A” state cross-country champion this year.  Coppock has now signed two of the four state champions from this year.  Class “C” champ Morgan Streeter of Ryegate will also run for MSUB next year.

“I'm really excited to get the chance to work with Dianna,” said Coppock.  “She's the State “A” cross-country champion, a 4.0 student, and is self-motivated and likes to run.  She's got about all the ingredients to be a successful college runner.  With her times she'll be competitive in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, which is very strong in the long distances.  I think with someone like her on our team, it will set a higher standard for the whole group; we need to step up this year now that we've joined the GNAC.  She has some other running aspirations beyond college, such as running a marathon, which I'll be able to help her with as well.”

Stanley won the state cross-country championship with a three-mile time of 18:24.  Her time was the fifth-fastest among all runners across the state’s four classifications at the state meet.  Stanley also competed in basketball and track at Custer County High School, earning all-conference and all-state honors in both.  She was the Custer County HS Valedictorian at last week’s commencement.

“I decided to come to MSUB because I wanted to stay in Montana,” said Stanley.  “I also really like Coach Coppock and am looking forward to next year.”

The Yellowjackets will compete in the GNAC in cross-country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.  MSUB’s cross-country runners will report for training camp September 1.