MSU Hosts Annual Cross Country Invite
9/17/2009 5:11:05 PM
30th Annual
Montana State will host the annual Fleet Feet Cross Country Invitational at the Bridger Creek Golf Course in Bozeman this Saturday, September 19.
The men's five-mile race will begin at 9:00 and the women's three mile race will follow at 9:45.
Fifteen teams will compete in the event including NCAA Division I schools Weber State, University of Montana, University of Utah, Utah State, and Utah Valley University. Other schools competing in the meet include Blackfeet Community College, Carroll College, Concordia College, Dickinson State, Flathead Valley College, Gillette College, MSU-Billings, Rocky Mountain College and the University of Great Falls.
Junior Nick Atwood returns to anchor an experienced contingent of Bobcat men. Atwood redshirted in 2008 and placed seventh and tenth his first two years as a Bobcat distance runner. Senior Matt Adams also returns with three letters and is coming off a successful outdoor track season in the steeple chase. Sophomore Patrick Casey also returns after placing 11th in the 2008 Big Sky cross country meet.
“In general, it's really a balanced team in terms of class,” head coach Dale Kennedy said. “But it's the quality of the returners that is exciting about this year's squad.
The Bobcat men were picked to place third in the conference by the Big Sky coaches poll. The Weber State men, who will be competing Saturday, were picked second behind national title contender Northern Arizona.
The Bobcat women will be led by youth – the probable front runners for the women's team are junior Kala Jauquet and sophomore Heath Haug. There are no seniors on the women's team.
“There was only 21 seconds between all our women placers last year at the conference meet,” Kennedy said. “Their ability to run as a group is going to be the key to their improvement.” The women placed sixth in last year's Big Sky Conference meet.
The public is encouraged to attend the meet. The course winds through the Bridger Creek golf course with many excellent viewing opportunities of most of the course. Admission is free.
Wednesday, August 19
Wednesday, June 10
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
