Bobcat Cross Country Completes Solid Showing at Montana Invite

Friday, September 29

Missoula, MT (UM GC)

TBD

Montana State University

Montana Invitational

Caroline Hardin

Photo by: Todd Goodrich

Bobcat Cross Country Completes Solid Showing at Montana Invite

9/29/2017 7:52:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country

Overall Finish List Men's Dual Results Women's Dual Results

The Bobcats’ women’s team continued its early season success by topping both Eastern Washington and Montana in dual action while the men's team earned a split in Missoula

By: Andrew Pedersen

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Montana State women's cross country team swept their two duals, while the men's team earned a split at the Montana Invitational on Friday, Sept. 29, at the University of Montana Golf Course.

The Bobcats' women's team continued its early season success by topping both Eastern Washington and Montana in dual action in the five-kilometer race. MSU topped EWU (22-39) and host Montana (24-35) to earn the sweep. The Bobcat men's squad outpaced Montana (22-33), but fell to the Eagles (26-30) in the 8K.

MSU's women's team was led by senior Caroline Hardin who crossed the line third overall with a time of 18 minutes, 10.72 seconds. She was followed in the top 10 by junior Kelsi Lasota who took fifth in a time of 18:19.69, sophomore Anna French who placed seventh with a mark of 18:26.40 and Madison Liechty placed 10th in a time of 18:35.74.

Freshman Samantha Kelderman (18:37.24) finished 11th to complete MSU's scoring lineup, while freshman Jaycie Schmalz (18:43.61) and junior Layne Oliver (18:49.07) rounded out the Bobcats' top seven. Junior Morgan Jones narrowly crossed the line behind Oliver with her time of 18:51.52.

The Bobcat men's squad was led by a handful of underclassmen that earned a victory over the Griz and were almost able to top the Eagles.

Freshman Brandon Hough finished second overall with a time of 25:47.75 to lead a trio of Bobcats in the top 10. Newcomer Collin Buck crossed the line in 25:56.78 and Cameron Carroll placed eighth with a time of 26:19.05.

Freshman Riley Collins (26:28.04) and junior Anthony Schmalz (27:17.28) took 12th and 22nd, respectively, to close out MSU's scoring in the dual competition. Sophomore Andrew Vandine (27:24.78) and freshman Chris Bianchini (27:44.50) rounded out MSU's top seven finishers Friday.

The Bobcats have one remaining meet before the Big Sky Conference Championships. Montana State travels to Santa Clara, Calif., for the Bronco Invitational next on Oct. 14.