BYU cross country to host Autumn Classic

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The BYU cross country team has typically done well at its Autumn Classic, winning nine of the 11 years its has been an event.

On Saturday, the No. 4 BYU men's cross country team will try for 10 of 12 in its only home meet of the season,the Clarence F. Robison Track & Field Complex. The men's four-mile race will begin at 9:45 a.m., while the BYU women's cross country team will race at 10:50 a.m.

Several high school races will take place throughout the morning as well.

"This is our one home meet of the season, so hopefully we can get a good showing and race in front of a good crowd," BYU coach Ed Eyestone said. "Obviously this isn't the end of the season, but it will be a good indicator of where we are."

West Coast Conference foe and eighth-ranked Portland will take part in this year's Autumn Classic, as well as Weber State and Idaho State.

The Cougars finished sixth at the NCAA championships last year and return four of their top seven runners, including preseason all-conference selections Tylor Thatcher, Jason Witt and Steve Flint. Sophomore Jonathan Nelson won last weekend's Utah Open.