Aug. 31, 2001

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The UNLV women's cross country team was picked to finish seventh in the Mountain West Conference for the 2001 season by a vote of the league's coaches Friday.

Last season, the Rebel distance runners finished sixth at the MWC Cross Country Championships under the strides of NCAA qualifier and former Rebel standout Katie Barto.

For the second straight year, BYU gathered 49 points (seven first place votes) to win the top spot in the preseason coaches poll. The Cougars will be looking to win their third consecutive conference title this season.

Colorado State received 42 points and one first place vote, followed by Air Force (34), Utah (32), New Mexico (22), San Diego State (19), UNLV (14) and Wyoming (12).

The Rebels open their season on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the UC Irvine Invitational in Irvine, Calif.

PRESEASON WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY COACHES POLLPlace   Team (First Place Votes)    Pts.1.  BYU (7)         492.  Colorado State (1)      423.  Air Force           344.  Utah            325.  New Mexico      226.  San Diego State     197.   UNLV            148.  Wyoming         12