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Hometown Athletes Lead Colorado State Into Conference Indoor Championships

by Ryan Coe & Erin Cunningham, CSU Media Relations. (2/23)

Feb. 23, 2000

FORT COLLINS, COLO. (Tuesday, February 22, 2000)-- Native Fort Collins track and field athletes have proven to be more than the stereotypical hometown stars. They have contributed to the success of a top ranking track and field team at Colorado State.

"Area athletes have contributed a great deal," says head track and field coach Del Hessel. "Several have the potential to be NCAA All-Americans."

The local contingent is lead by seniors Brandi Bernert and Jeanie Crist. Bernert, a graduate of Poudre High School is currently ranked second in the Mountain West Conference for the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.61. She also maintains CSU's indoor track records for the 55 meter dash, 60 meter dash and the 200 meter dash.

"Being able to train and compete in my hometown has been an advantage," says Bernert. "The familiar environment has helped me as an athlete to improve."

Teammate Jeanie Crist, a graduate of Rocky Mountain High School, also has the second rank position in the Mountain West Conference for the 800 meter run with a time of 2:11.98. In addition, Crist was a top contributor for the Ram's cross-country team last fall.

The freshman class has shown great potential to follow the success of their elder teammates. Distance runner Jennifer Kintzley, a graduate of Poudre High School, took second in both the mile run and the 3,000 meter run during CSU's Fum McGraw Open.

Fellow distance runner Katie Yemm, a graduate of Fort Collins High, is currently ranked ninth in the Mountain West Conference for the 800 meter run with a time of 2:15.56.

Also ranked in the Mountain West Conference for the 800 meter run is freshman Fort Collins High graduate Ben Marvin who is currently third with a time of 1:53.62.

Other locals include, Toni Berryhill, a Poudre High School graduate, Kim Leal, a Rocky Mountain High School Graduate, and Josh Lybarger, a graduate from Fort Collins High School, who all compete in cross-country and distance events.

These local athletes have surpassed their high school accomplishments and now are developing into top-contributors for the Colorado State Track and Field Team.

Watch for the Rams as they head to the Mountain West Conference Championships to be held at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs February 24-26.