FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu September 9, 2016 Aiken leads ‘Jackets in South Dakota MSUB Cross Country on Facebook | MSUB Cross Country on ISSUU | Results
Freshman Nikki Aiken was MSUB’s top competitor in South Dakota for the Yellowjackets.
Freshman Nikki Aiken paces the MSUB women’s cross country team in event hosted at Black Hills State University. SPEARFISH, S.D. – Freshman Nikki Aiken was the top finisher for the MSUB women’s cross country team at the Gage McSpadden Memorial Invitational hosted by Black Hills State Friday. Aiken finished sixth at the 4K distance, covering the course at the Spearfish Canyon Country Club in 16:58.0. Junior Bailey Bomar placed 12th in a time of 17:34.3 and freshman Lydia Foster was 14th for MSUB in 17:35.0. Christine Thorn won the individual title for BHSU with a time of 15:54.0. The Yellow Jackets finished with a perfect score of 15 as Black Hills State swept the top-5 spots on their home course. The Montana State University Billings squad competed with five freshmen, one sophomore, and one junior during the team’s second meet of the 2016 season.
Catrina Schuchard (17th, 18:36.9) and Ella McKenzie (18th, 18:48.3) finished as the fourth and fifth runners for MSUB. Sarah Beatty (19:12.3) and Krysten Mossburg (19:26.6) were close behind on the challenging course in South Dakota. The MSUB team finished with 42 points for second place, ahead of Dakota Wesleyan in third place at 81 points. “Our women’s team really stepped-up this week against a strong team in Black Hills State,” MSUB head coach Dave Coppock said. “Nikki did a great job leading the team and Bailey and Lydia also finished well on the challenging course. We have a lot of freshman on the squad this year and this race was really about getting them used to competition at this level.” “The team keeps getting better every week and are training hard to be in top shape by the end of the season,” Coppock continued. “Next week, the team will compete in Bozeman against tough D1 runners and I know the meet will continue to push them individually and as a team to be ready for the rest of the season.” THE BUZZ: The MSUB team placed runners in the 6-10-11-13-14 spots for their top-5…Aiken selected this week’s St. Vincent Bailey Bomar (front) and Lydia Foster crossing the finish line at Healthcare Athlete of the Meet…the MSUB team finished with an BHSU Invite. average time of 17:54. UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets stay in-state next week for the Montana State Invitational. The race kicks off a 9:00 a.m. at the Bridger Creek Country Club in Bozeman. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--