Two UCCS Runners Named All-American

Shannon Payne and Sarah Shepard were both named All-American at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships Saturday at Pomona, Calif.

Payne, a sophomore from Franktown, Colo., finished 10th overall in the race and was the fifth American. Payne's place is the highest ever for a UCCS woman (Sarah Vigil was 11th on the same course in 2000).

Shepard, a junior from Glenwood Springs, Colo., also achieved all-American status with a 31st place finish (23rd American). All-American status was awarded to the top 30 Americans in the race.

Payne and Shepard became the eighth and ninth cross country All-Americans at UCCS. The other women were Kira Claussen (1999), Vigil (2000), Sarah Gray (2001) and Tina Gray (2003). On the men's side, Trent Briney (1999), Greg Augspurger (2001) and Levi Brathall (2003) all earned All-American status.