Men's Results (PDF)
Women's Results (PDF)
Montana State junior Patrick Casey defended his individual crown at the Bozeman Running Co., - MSU Cross Country Invitational by a comfortable four-seconds, Saturday morning at Bridger Creek.
Casey, who just edged out Montana's Lynn Reynolds last fall, covered the five-mile course in 25:01. The Laurel native was followed closely by Utah State's Brian McKenna, 25:05, and Reynolds, 25:12.
In all, the Bobcats had five racers in the top 10 to easily win its first MSU Invitational team title since 2002.
“This is the first step in a six step process,” said MSU head coach Dale Kennedy. “We had a 53-second split between one and five and we have to narrow that gap if we want to get to the championship level.”
Also placing in the top ten for MSU were Seth Grossman, 5th, 25:23; Dan Jackson, 8th, 25:38; Nick Atwood, 9th, 25:51; and Carl Nystuen, 10th, 25:54.
MSU's freshmen duo of Trevor Polson and Jacob Kirk finished 11th and 20th, respectively. Tyler Noland rounded out the day for Bobcats placing 31st overall.
“Patrick Casey had a great race defending his title,” Kennedy said. “And, I knew Seth Grossman would be in the top five, but he ran with Patrick from the start and held one to be our No. 2 guy. Overall, this is an excellent starting point.”
The Bobcats won the team title with 30 points, and were followed by Utah State 47, Weber State 70, Idaho State 137, Montana 147, Great Falls 148, Rocky Mountain 201, MSU Billings 244, Carroll 253, South Dakota Mines 262 and Westminster 286.
A young Montana State women's team felt the sting of growing pains and a field loaded with five regionally-ranked squads.
Two freshmen led the Bobcats in their first collegiate race. Heather Demorest (Darby) led MSU finishing 28th overall in 18:23. Keely West (Great Falls) was on her heels placing 31st in 18:28.
Junior Heather Haug, who's paced the Bobcats the last two years finished 35th in a clocking of 18:36.
“This gives us a good indicator for where we are,” Kennedy said. “The positive coming out of this race is knowing how much better we will get by the end of the season.”
Also placing for MSU were Lauren Kuennen, 36th, 18:38; Rebecca Sorenson, 41st, 18:44; Tara Will, 48th, 19:07; Annelise Weinmann, 60th, 19:31; and Elizabeth Narigon, 98th, 21:31.
Montana won the women's team race with 31 points. The Grizzlies were followed by Weber State 46, Utah State 87, Idaho State 87, Utah 131, MSU 164, Carroll 204, MSU Billings 234, Rocky Mountain 281, South Dakota Mines 297 and Great Falls 318.
UM's Kara DeWalt captured the women's individual crown in 16:47.
