1985/1986 Women’s Cross Country Team- Mountain West Champions (Team) (2005) - Hall of Fame

1985/1986 Women’s Cross Country Team- Mountain West Champions (Team)

Induction:
2005
Class:
1986

1985 and 1986 Women’s Cross Country Team- Mountain West Champions Every year on a crisp, fall Saturday morning in September, the Bobcat women’s cross country team comes together. After a brief interlude, a loud “Bobcat Pack Attack” reverberates off the Bangtails. The Blue and Gold is ready to race the MSU Invitational. The tradition started with the 1985 women’s cross country team and continues today, 20-years later. There is no doubt that the 1985-86 squads set the tone for future greatness. “Those teams were a collection of some very special ladies,” said long-time MSU head coach Dale Kennedy. “It was a group that possessed a strong work-ethic, and they were fierce competitors, as well.” Led by Mountain West champion Annette Hand, the Bobcats won their first league title on its home course in 1985. Hand and fellow teammate Molly Tritle both garnered all-league accolades for their performances. Then a black day in Bobcat history hit home. The state pulled funding from athletics and MSU discontinued its skiing, gymnastics and wrestling programs. Kennedy saw his scholarships reduced from 17 to three. Hand, who was one of the most dominate distance runners in the country, moved to Oregon to better her career, but nonetheless, Kennedy still returned a strong group, and with the addition of freshman phenom Kathleen Monaghan, the ‘Cats were poised to take their second straight Mountain West title. The 1986 Bobcat squad answered the bell, out-distancing its intra-state rival Montana to win the crown in Moscow, Idaho. Theresa Zacher and Monaghan both earned all-conference recognition by finishing in the top ten. “I think winning the 1986 title was more special, because this group really had to overcome a lot of adversity,” Kennedy said. “We shed a lot of tears that day.” And no doubt, some tears will flow this evening, as well.