Smith, Siana Lead Montana State at Gans Creek Classic

Friday, September 26

Columbia, Mo.

8:15 a.m. CT/7:15 a.m. MT

Montana State University

Gans Creek Classic

Photo by: Pershelle Rohrer

9/26/2025 3:32:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Bobcats faced some of nation’s best in second meet of the season

By: Pershelle Rohrer

COLUMBIA, Mo. --- The Montana State cross country teams previewed the NCAA championship cross country course on Friday, competing in the Missouri-hosted Gans Creek Classic. The meet marked the Bobcats' second of the year and the first of two regular-season trips to Columbia during the 2025 season.

Competing against a nationally-ranked field, the Bobcats placed 31^st as a team in both gold invitational races, tallying 928 points in the women's 6k and 752 points in the men's 8k later that morning. No. 12 Florida took the women's team crown with 102 points followed by No. 8 Northern Arizona (126), No. 26 Colorado (166), No. 18 Virginia (210), and No. 22 Utah (223). On the men's side, No. 1 Iowa State tallied 47 points to take the victory while No. 6 Virginia (107), No. 13 Colorado (126), No 11 Alabama (193), and No. 4 BYU (199) rounded out the top five teams.

"The level of competition we were up against was really elite, which was a great experience for both of our teams," Dale Kennedy Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Lyle Weese said. "We learned a lot and are excited to be back on the same course in three weeks for the Pre-NCAA meet. Madi Siana started aggressively, fully engaged throughout the race, and put together an outstanding performance. Owen Smith led the men with a really good performance. He was very aggressive in the race and put himself right in it."

Siana led the way for the Bobcats in the women's 6k gold race, clocking a 21:14.7 to place 142^nd. The sophomore climbed 17 positions in the final 3,000 meters to pace Montana State in the race. Hannah Perrin was MSU's No. 2 finisher, placing 208^th with a time of 22:06.0. Following close behind was Claire Rutherford, who posted a 22:09.3 for 212^th place in her first collegiate 6k. Hailey Watkins (22:20.7) and Annie Kaul (22:26.4) rounded out Montana State's scorers in 217^th and 220^th place, respectively.

On the men's side, Smith was Montana State's top finisher, clocking a near-personal-best time of 23:36.8 to place 79^th in the 8k. Sam Ells crossed the finish line second for the Bobcats and 147^th overall with a time of 24:09.6. Ryan Harrington (184^th) and Harvey Cramb (187^th) completed the 8k just seconds apart, clocking times of 24:26.9 and 24:29.7 to post MSU's third- and fourth-fastest times. Freshman AJ Ringert rounded out Montana State's scorers with a time of 24:39.7 to place 200^th.

The Bobcats also had competitors in the men's and women's black races, with Ben Saelens and Niko Mann placing 209^th and 224^th in the 8k and Kaitlyn Skinner taking 153^rd in the 6k.

Full results from the Gans Creek Classic can be found on PrimeTime Timing.

The Bobcats will return to Gans Creek Cross Country Course to compete in the Pre-National Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 18. The meet is set to kick off with the women's invitational 6k at 9 a.m. MT followed by the men's invitational 8k at 10 a.m.

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For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State cross country teams, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsTFXC. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.