Wyoming Track and Field Seeks Advancement

Fifteen University of Wyoming track and field student-athletes have one goal in Texas this weekend. It's to move on to the NCAA Championships.

The ten Cowboys and five Cowgirls are at the NCAA West Preliminary track and field meet in Austin, TX. They reached the regional by posting a top-48 mark in their respective event.

Wyoming head track coach Bryan Berryhill said to have 15 qualifiers,

"I think it's a good number. Having 15 last year and 15 again (this year) shows we're starting to get the foundation of the program where we want it to be... I'm proud of this group. A lot of this kids are returners; 12 of the 15 have been there."

The ten Cowboys include a pair of four-time qualifiers in seniors Garrett Zans and Paul Thomas, who will compete in the steeplechase and discus, respectively.

Also in action will be grad students Harry Fisher and Thomas Atkinson, as well as freshman Ricky Faure in the 800 meters. Junior Amos Bowen joins Zans in the steeplechase, junior Tyler Anderson in the hammer, junior Scott Carter in the triple jump, plus sophomore Jordan Charles and senior Colin Herold in the 110 hurdles.

For the Cowgirls, senior Holly Page runs the 10,000 meters, senior Erin Kirby will compete in the 400 hurdles, senior Shreese Daniels will throw the hammer, sophomore Audra DeStefano is in the steeplechase and sophomore Kerry White runs in the 800 meters.

Berryhill felt going in that they had five or six with a realistic chance of advancing to the NCAA Championships next month in Eugene, OR.

"It's going to be a matter of who handles this environment the best, and who realizes that you don't have to be anything special at this meet. You just have to be you and be who you've been all year."

The top 12 in each event will qualify for the NCAA Championships June 10-13. Only two Cowboys have advanced in the five-year history of the current qualifying system.

The meet runs Thursday through Saturday in Texas.