Nov. 22, 2002

University of Missouri assistant cross country coach Rebecca Wilmes was named Midwest Region Cross Country Coach of the Year. This is Coach Wilmes' first honor as coach of the Year. Coach Wilmes is honored but credits her team for the award, "I'm very honored but the award is a reflection on the girls. This is a honor for our team for going to another level."

Wilmes is in her fifth year on the Missouri coaching staff and was the 1996 Midwest regional cross country champion. "It's a great honor but the girls have taken us to become one of the top teams", said Wilmes about her award. She will receive thew award at a banquet Saturday night in Terre Haute, Indiana where the 16th ranked Missouri Tigers women's team will run at the NCAA Championships.