Sept. 4, 2004

POCATELLO, Idaho - Ashley Johnson won the women's individual race while David Danley won the men's side to lead Utah State to victories in its opening meet of the season at the Idaho State Cross Country Invitational here Saturday morning. The Aggie men defeated Idaho State 25-30, while Westminster was third with 85 points. The women also defeated the host Bengals by a score of 23-34 while Westminster scored 86 points. "This was one of those meets where we just wanted to see where everyone is at right now," said USU head coach Gregg Gensel. "We liked what we saw. I was pleased to see our younger runners perform well. It was a good way for our freshmen to start." Johnson, a sophomore from Hyrum, Utah, opened her collegiate career by finishing second at this event last year. This season she edged freshman teammate Stacie Lifferth by two seconds. Lida Ripplinger finished fifth for the Aggies as well. The USU men placed three runners in the top four as Danley cruised to a 17-second victory over Idaho State's Matt Nelson with a time of 18:27. Clark Bryner was third at 19:01 and Steven Stricklind was fourth at 19:06 for the Aggies. Both Utah State cross country teams will compete at the BYU Autumn Classic at Provo on Saturday, Sept. 11. Idaho State Cross Country Invitational

Men's Team Results
1. UTAH STATE	25
2. Idaho State	30
3. Westminster	85

Men's Individual Results (6K)
1. DAVID DANLEY, USU	18:27
2. Matt Nelson, Idaho State	18:44
3. CLARK BRYNER, USU	19:01
4. STEVEN STRICKLAND, USU	19:06
5. Matt Tyrell, Idaho State	19:12

Other USU Results
7. Jason Holt	19:32
10. Ben Kessen	20:00
14. Carson Campbell	20:40
18. Scott Faldmo	21:10
23. Jacob Jensen	21:43.50

Women's Team Results
1. UTAH STATE	23
2. Idaho State	34
3. Westminster	85

Women's Individual Results (3K)
1. ASHLEY JOHNSON, USU	11:00
2. STACIE LIFFERTH, USU	11:02
3. Donilyn Rowland, Idaho State	11:03
4. Jenny Downey, Idaho State	11:13
5. LIDA RIPPLINGER	11:16

Other USU Results
7. Amy Egan	11:20
8. Rebeccas Bostwick	11:21
9. Carolyn Andrus	11:23
13. Caroline Berry	11:47
14. Vera Ross	12:01