Pukstas Named 2003 District V Runner of the Year

November 24, 2003 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track

Oklahoma State's Mindi Pukstas, a senior on the men's cross country team, was awarded District V Runner of the Year honors Saturday evening as part of the NCAA Championship festivities.

Pukstas, who became eligible for the Cowboys in October after transferring from SMU, has competed in only three races for the Pokes, but has been impressive enough in his limited action to win the award.

Pukstas ran unattached in the Cowboy Jamboree, winning that race in a time of 24:06 on the 8k course. He followed that performance with a fourth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships, and solidified himself as the district's top runner by winning the regional championship last weekend in Stillwater.

The addition of Pukstas has been an integral part of Oklahoma State's success as a team this season, and he and his teammates look to continue that success as they race for a national championship at 11 a.m. Monday morning at the Irv Warren Golf Course in Waterloo, Iowa.