The USTFCCCA Coaches preseason poll was released on Monday with the Cowboys ranked eighth and the Cowgirls landing ninth in the Mountain Region poll.

Last season the Pokes finished eighth in the men’s regional poll and ninth in the women’s. With key contributors on both teams returning, Wyoming is built for even more success in the upcoming season.

The Cowboys return its scoring five of junior Jacob White, senior Mason Norman, junior Ryker Holtzen, senior Gus McIntyre and senior Asefa Wetzel in last year’s NCAA Regional Championship where they placed eighth as a team.

Wetzel was a standout for the Star Valley Braves cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track and field teams before joining the Cowboys. He helped the SVXC program to three straight team titles from 2015-2017 and was an individual state champion. He also won multiple individual state titles in at the 1600 and 3200 meter events in both indoor and outdoor track and field. Asefa is the son of Joe and Christina Wetzel.

The Cowgirls will also return its scoring five from NCAA Regionals with senior Abigail Whitman, junior Eowyn Dalbec, junior Hailey Uhre, senior Kylie Simshauser and junior Madelyn Blazo who finished ninth as a team.

Pokes begin their 2024 campaign on Friday, August 30, when they host the Wyoming Invite at the Little America Golf Course in Cheyenne, Wyo. The women’s team will start at 9 a.m. while the men race at 9:30 a.m.