Photo by: Pershelle Rohrer
Claire Rutherford Earns Big Sky Co-Women’s Athlete of the Week Honors
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
