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8:00 AM
Cross Country
vs Gans Creek Classic
Saturday, November 14
Albuquerque, N.M.
TBA
University of Utah
vs
NCAA Moutain Regional Championships
Mergaert Leads Utes at NCAA Mountain Region Championships
11/14/2009 12:00 AM | Cross Country
Nov. 14, 2009
Complete Results in PDF Format 
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The University of Utah women's cross country team wrapped up their season on Saturday at the 2009 NCAA Mountain Region Championships. The Utes came in 19th overall, led by freshman Amanda Mergaert.
The Utes only ran five runners in the meet due to injuries and illness on the team. Mergaert was the first Ute across the finish line with a time of 22:29.5. Freshman Jenny McCune was the second scoring runner for the Utes for the fourth consecutive race. The Ute finished the course in 23:13.5 for 92nd-place overall.
Senior Sydney Osmun ran her last collegiate cross country meet, coming in third for the Utes and 119th overall with a time of 24:16.4. Freshmen Rachel Schmalzle and Hilary Troutner crossed the line shortly after. Schmalzle finished 125th overall with a time of 24:38.2 and Troutner finished in 129th-place with a time of 24:57.5.
"It was a disappointing day for our team. I thought they ran hard, but our under-manned squad couldn't overcome some illness and injuries at the end of the season. We were too young and inexperienced of a team to overcome those issues. We will take next week to get some rest and evaluate the things we need to do to avoid these setbacks in the future. We have a talented, young bunch that will rebound from this and be better for it in years to come. We're going to find out how resilient this group is as they move forward to the track season. We have to put this day behind us and look forward to better ones that lie ahead and we will," said head coach Kyle Kepler.
"I think our squad learned a ton about running at this level this season. Everyone in Division I is talented. Everyone is a state champion, all-state, or a state qualifier. This level is all about working as a team and having the patience to grow steadily. Trying to skip steps at this level will cost you dearly. I know our team understands this and is doing their best to learn consistency in and out of training. As they mature this process will become easier and their training will be more optimal regardless of what level they are at. Most importantly we will get to do it together which will make the future success even more enjoyable."
Players Mentioned
Distance/CC
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Distance/CC
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