Pocatello, Idaho - Although the 68th Annual Samuel Horne Bennion Banquet Awards has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, it does not take away from the phenomenal work our student-athletes have put in physically, mentally, and academically over the course of the year. Individual team award winners will be announced and honored through social media throughout the end of the semester. Today we recognize Men's cross country.
Women's cross country will be announced next Monday, April 20, 2020.
Outstanding Performer sponsored by Don & Candice Wyckoff: Jesse Allen
· Top runner in three meets in 2019, including winner of 2019 Idaho State XC Invitational.
· Team Captain and Consistent Leader of the team.
· At the Montana State Invitational ran the fastest time ever for a Bengal despite Rain and Mud on the course.
"Jesse is one of the rare mid distance guys who has been able to battle through the miles and the mental grind to become a true contender in cross country," said Head Cross Country Coach Nathan Houle. "He came to ISU and had a rough freshmen year so to look back and see how much better he is now is fantastic. It's great to see what 5 years of hard work can do for someone and Jesse's example has rubbed off on many of the younger guys on the team."
Bengal Endurance Award sponsored by Don & Candice Wyckoff: Zak Montoya
· Transferred from the College of Southern Idaho after a strong NJCAA career.
· Tried out and made the team at the last minute after running 90 miles a week all summer not knowing if he had a spot on the team.
· At the 2019 NCAA Mountain Region meet was the top performer for the Bengals
"Zak is the kind of guy that you hope for when you're recruiting new athletes," said Houle. "He emailed me in the summer saying he decided to come to ISU and wanted to see if he could have a walk on spot on the team. Despite not knowing if his career could continue he still worked his butt off running around 90 miles every week in the summer. We didn't have room at the time so I told him to try out and see what happened. After trying out the first week of practice he immediately earned his way on. He battled all season and by the end of the season Zak finished as our #1 guy and really showed what fearless determination looks like and what hard work can do for an athlete."
