Photo by: Pershelle Rohrer
9/8/2026 10:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Rutherford won MSU Bobcat Twilight women’s 5k by 23 seconds on Friday night
FARMINGTON, Utah --- Montana State sophomore cross country athlete Claire Rutherford was named Big Sky Co-Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week following a dominant victory in the women's 5k at the MSU Bobcat Twilight on Friday evening.
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Rutherford's honor marked the first of the season for the Bobcats, Rutherford's first career Big Sky weekly award, and the first honor for a Montana State cross country runner since Ben Perrin and Kyla Christopher-Moody swept the men's and women's awards following the 2024 Dellinger Invitational.
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Rutherford earned her first collegiate cross country win at the MSU Bobcat Twilight, crossing the finish line in 17:29.8 in the women's 5k. She earned a 23-second victory in the race to help the Bobcats secure a perfect 15 points to earn the team victory. The Bozeman native earned her first overall Big Sky Athlete of the Week award in the season-opening race, helping the Bobcats set a strong standard for the 2026 campaign.
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Montana State next splits up between the Montana Invite in Missoula, Mont., on Sept. 18 and the John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind., on Sept. 19.
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Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State cross country program, 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.
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Rutherford's honor marked the first of the season for the Bobcats, Rutherford's first career Big Sky weekly award, and the first honor for a Montana State cross country runner since Ben Perrin and Kyla Christopher-Moody swept the men's and women's awards following the 2024 Dellinger Invitational.
Â
Rutherford earned her first collegiate cross country win at the MSU Bobcat Twilight, crossing the finish line in 17:29.8 in the women's 5k. She earned a 23-second victory in the race to help the Bobcats secure a perfect 15 points to earn the team victory. The Bozeman native earned her first overall Big Sky Athlete of the Week award in the season-opening race, helping the Bobcats set a strong standard for the 2026 campaign.
Â
Montana State next splits up between the Montana Invite in Missoula, Mont., on Sept. 18 and the John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind., on Sept. 19.
Â
Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State cross country program, 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.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
Friday, October 27
Wednesday, November 13
Wednesday, October 23
Wednesday, October 16
