LARAMIE, Wyo. (Aug. 21, 2017) –The University of Wyoming track & field and cross country program will host its 16th annual Always a Cowboy memorial event on Friday, Sept. 8 from 3:30-6 p.m. at UW’s Memorial 8 track at the Louis S. Madrid Sports Complex. The annual event is held in honor of the eight Cowboy harriers who tragically passed away in an automobile accident on US-287 on Sept. 16, 2001.
The 16th annual event features a different structure than previous years, with 800-meter run and walk options for participants – 100 meters in memory of each Cowboy – slated for 4 p.m. on the day of the event. Community members of all ages and athletic abilities are encouraged to attend and participate in the free event.
“I think it means a lot to the community,†UW track & field and cross country head coach Bryan Berryhill said about the event. “Being the 16th year, there’s a lot of people that have been a part of it that whole time. It’s a tradition they look forward to every year. It’s something our team looks forward to every year, just remembering the eight boys. It’s an honor for us this year to host it out at the Memorial 8 Track.â€
This year’s event will be the first in its 16-year history to be held at the track named in honor of the eight victims of the 2001 accident. The eight Cowboys who passed away on Sept. 16, 2001 were Cody Brown of Hudson, Colo.; Kyle Johnson of Riverton, Wyo.; Joshua Jones of Laramie, Wyo.; Justin Lambert-Belanger of Timmons, Ontario, Canada; Morgan McLeland of Gillette, Wyo.; Kevin Salverson of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Nick Schabron of Laramie, Wyo.; and Shane Shatto of Douglas, Wyo.
For more information about the 16th annual Always a Cowboy memorial event, call 307-766-3754.
