June 4, 2003

Laramie, Wyo. (June 3, 2003)-- University of Wyoming seniors Joel Hess andMervin Swaby have been named to the 2003 Verizon All-District VII Men'sCross Country/Track and Field Teams as selected by CoSIDA (College SportsInformation Directors of America). Hess and Swaby were two of only twentyathletes to earn First and Second Team honors.

The CoSIDA District VII is made up of the states of Wyoming, Colorado,Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota andthe Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Hess, who earned a perfect 4.0 in exercise and sports science, has receivedmany accolades for his hard work in the classroom. He is a two-time AcademicAll-Mountain West selection and has twice been honored as a Mountain WestScholar-Athlete. On the track, he has been one of the top distance runnersfor the Pokes. This past season, he had the best Cowboy time in the 10,000meter run clocking in at 34:35.76. He also placed seventh in the event atthe 2003 Mountain West Conference Track and Field Championships in May.

Swaby recently earned his masters degree in accounting from the Universityof Wyoming. He has been one of the top long jumpers in the Mountain WestConference earning All-Conference honors in the event eight times (fourindoor and four outdoor). The Kingston, Jamaica native holds the all-timeCowboy records in both the indoor and outdoor long jump. He has been named aAcademic All-Conference performer three times.

Hess, along with the other nine members on the First Team, is eligible forthe Verizon Academic All-America ballot which will be announced later thissummer.

Below is a complete listing of First and Second Team Verizon AcademicAll-District VII honorees.

First Team

Second Team