Nov. 12, 1999

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech men's and women's cross country teams will compete at the NCAA Mountain Regional Saturday, November 13. The meet is being hosted by Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

The meet will have national implications for both teams, as the top four teams from the meet will earn a berth in the national championship meet. Also, the top two individual finishers not on a qualifying team will earn a berth.

Tech's men and women will be trying to make a bit of history as the first Red Raider team to qualify for the national meet. Tech has had individuals qualify for nationals but has never sent a full men's or women's team.

"I think we have a realistic shot of qualifying as a team," Tech cross country coach Dave Smith said. "Our women have a good shot if we run the way we've been running. The men will have a tougher time, but we've just got to go run our race."

The women, led by Leigh Daniel and Kristen Koppes, are currently ranked No. 28 in the nation. Daniel and Koppes earned All-Big 12 honors after their finishes at the conference meet two weeks ago. Currently the Red Raider women are ranked No. 28 in the country. The men are led by Boniface Ndungu. Ndungu finished 17th at the conference meet, the best ever Big 12 cross country finish for a Tech man.

The Mountain Region is considered to be one of the toughest regions in the NCAA this year. Among teams competing will be Brigham Young, Colorado, Colorado State, University of Denver, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Nevada-Reno, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Southern Utah, UTEP, Air Force, Utah, Utah State, Weber State and Wyoming.

The men's race will begin 11 a.m. with the women's race following at noon.