September 27, 2007          
                                                                  

Jackets Set to Run at Shootout Saturday

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings cross country teams will face nationally-ranked competition this Saturday in their final tune up before the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships.  The Yellowjackets will run at the Rocky Mountain Shootout on Saturday in Boulder, Colo.  Hosted by University of Colorado, the Shootout, in its 22nd year, is one of the longest-running collegiate cross country races in the nation.

The Yellowjackets are competing for the fourth-straight week.  They have a three-week layoff between Saturday’s race in Colorado and their next race, the GNAC Championships on Oct. 20 in Nampa, Idaho.

“Our teams have been running well all season, and the women are especially strong and showing a lot of depth,” said Yellowjacket head coach Dave Coppock.  “They're still running in a pack with only about 35 seconds separating our Nos. 1 though 5 runners, which really helps in the larger meets. There aren't many teams running that close, and the fact that most of our top seven women are freshmen really indicates a lot of upside potential.”

In the three races thus far, two different Lady Jackets, both freshmen, have led the pack.  Diana Stanley (Miles City) placed eighth at the season-opening South Dakota Mines Invitational.  Mykel Ler (Sidney) has been the Jackets’ top finisher in the last two races, placing 11th last week at Dickinson State.

On the men’s side, senior captain Jarred Rensvold (Wolf Point) has led MSUB in two of the three races.  Freshman Ryan Ceynar (Glendive) was the Jackets’ top runner at Montana State.

The Rocky Mountain Shootout will feature University of Colorado, whose men and women are both ranked in the top 5 in the nation in Division I.  Division II powers Adams State and Western State will also be competing.  Adams State’s women are ranked first in the nation, and their women are second.  Western State’s women are ranked second nationally, and their men are ranked third.

22nd Annual Rocky Mountain Shootout

Saturday, Sept. 29

Buffalo Ranch, CU South Campus (1-36 and Table Mesa Road)

8:30 a.m.          Women’s Open 5.8k

9:15 a.m.          Men’s Open 8k

10:00 a.m.        Women’s Collegiate 5.8k

10:45 a.m.        Men’s Collegiate 8k