University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
BYU Autumn Classic
Gophers Win Team Title at BYU
9/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
PROVO, Utah - Five Gophers finished in the top 10, led by overall runner-up Becca Dyson, to lead the No. 25 University of Minnesota women's cross country team to the team title at the BYU Autumn Classic Saturday morning.
Minnesota responded well to an early-season test, competing on the road for the first time in 2014 while racing at altitude in Provo, Utah. Head coach Sarah Hopkins was happy with the Gophers' effort and execution.
"I could not be more pleased with the way we ran, the way we competed, the way we raced under control and just what we took out of the weekend," Hopkins said. "I thought we had a really solid team race. There was a lot of energy. You could tell they were under control and making decisive moves."
Dyson completed the three-mile course in 18:02.9, followed by fellow redshirt juniors Kaila Urick in 18:13.5 (fifth overall) and Liz Berkholtz in 18:15.7 (seventh overall).
Redshirt freshman Danielle Anderson (18:21.1) and redshirt senior Ashlie Decker (18:25.4) rounded out the top 10 overall finishers in ninth and 10th, respectively.
The Gophers executed a smart team race and countered for the increase in altitude on a sunny, 70-degree day. Hopkins explained that most of the team had never really run at altitude before, whether in racing or training.
"Being at altitude, we wanted to be a little bit conservative and not get in a situation where we went out too crazy," Hopkins said. "The BYU group went out pretty hard.
"We were in second at the mile, we were probably in second at the two mile, and then we ended up pulling out a win at the end, so that was awesome. We moved well on the BYU group and really made a good statement over the last mile."
BYU senior Andrea Harrison, an All-American on the track in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, won the individual title in 17:55.6.
Several Minnesota student-athletes gained their first experience traveling with the Gophers' top runners, including Anderson and true freshman Bailey Ness, who was the seventh Gopher in 18:43.6 for 16th place overall in her first official collegiate race.
Minnesota finished with 29 points in the team standings, ahead of host BYU with 35 points. No. 28 Weber State (88), UCLA (94) and Idaho State (130) rounded out the team finishes, respectively.
"Today was kind of a quiz, and the Griak will be our first mid-term," Hopkins said. "I think this quiz gave us really good insight into where we are and revealed some little things we need to work on, but it's nice to know we don't have to go completely back to the drawing board."
The Gophers are off from competition next weekend in preparation for the 29th annual Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn. One of the largest meets in the country, the Griak includes six collegiate races and four high school races and begins with the Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon III (Division III) Competition at 9 a.m.
BYU Autumn Classic Team Results
1. Minnesota, 29
2. Brigham Young, 35
3. Weber State, 88
4. UCLA, 94
5. Idaho State, 130
Gopher Finishes
2. Becca Dyson, 18:02.9
5. Kaila Urick, 18:13.5
7. Liz Berkholtz, 18:15.7
9. Danielle Anderson, 18:21.1
10. Ashlie Decker, 18:25.4
13. Jamie Piepenburg, 18:42.3
16. Bailey Ness, 18:43.6
23. Kate Bucknam, 18:58.1
27. Madeline Strandemo, 19:03.4
29. Haley Johnson, 19:12.4
37. Megan Bailey, 19:34.6
39. Taylor Mikkalson, 19:39.1
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Players Mentioned
