Saturday, September 20
Bozeman, MT
9 a.m. (M)/9:45 a.m. (W)
Montana State University
vs
MSU INVITATIONAL
35th Montana State Cross Country Invitational Slated for Saturday Morning
9/19/2014 3:56:00 PM | Cross Country
One of the oldest cross country races west of the Mississippi will take place Saturday, Sept. 20 with the 35th running of the Montana State University Cross Country Invitational.
One of the oldest cross country races west of the Mississippi will take place Saturday, Sept. 20 with the 35th running of the Montana State University Cross Country Invitational.
The meet will begin at 9 a.m. with the men's five-mile race, followed by the women's three-mile event at 9:45 a.m. The MSU Invitational will be held at Bridger Creek Golf Course.
Throughout its existence, the MSU Invitational has featured some of the best teams and competitors in the nation, and Saturday will be no different.
All five women's squads running in the NCAA Division I event are ranked in the Mountain Region led by Utah (3), Montana State (8), Wyoming (9), Utah State (11) and Montana (14).
Three teams are ranked in the men's regional poll, including Wyoming (8), Utah State (11) and Montana State (12).
The Bobcats will be competing in its first contest of the season, and assistant coach Lyle Weese, who oversees the MSU distance program, is eager to see how his men and women perform.
"We're ready for competition," Weese said. "We've been at it for 3 1/2 weeks and we're anticipating a strong start to the season.
"Cross country racing is pretty simple," Weese continued. "Your fitness level will determine how well you race and I think we've done a nice job with that this summer."
The MSU women's squad will be paced by a strong pack led by Jenette Northey, fifth-year senior Keely West and newcomer and local Bozeman product Caroline Hardin.
"Our women are running really well," Weese said. "We have a lot of depth on the team this season and I'm anxious to see how they will work together."
The Bobcat men will rely heavily on a trio of racers, including, but not in any order, Jake Turner, Mike Asay and Zach Kughn.
"We have a strong top three, and they could finish in any order," Weese said. "After that, there are some uncertainties, but that will shakeout during the race and give us a good look for where we're at."
In the non-Division I race, look to MSU Billings, Carroll College, Gillette, Great Falls and Rocky Mountain to fight for the MSU Invite title.
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