FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu September 17, 2016 Trio of freshmen place in MSUB’s top-5 MSUB Cross Country on Facebook | MSUB Cross Country on ISSUU | Results
Freshman Lydia Foster finished third for the Yellowjackets at the meet in Bozeman, Mont.
Three freshmen from the women’s cross country team places in the MSUB top-5 at the Montana State University Invitational Saturday. BOZEMAN, Mont. – The MSUB women’s cross country team raced against competition from around the region at the Montana State University/Bozeman Running Company Invitational Saturday at the Bridger Creek Golf Course. Back with the team after missing last week’s competition, senior Rio Frame was Montana State University Billings’ top finisher, covering the women’s 3-mile distance in 19:23.01 for 110th place overall in the collegiate division. Freshmen Nikki Aiken was 116th in 19:41.59 with Lydia Foster placing 123rd, in 20:0516. Also in the top-5 for the Yellowjackets, Bailey Bomar finished just behind Foster in 125th in 20:08.72. Freshman Catrina Schuchard placed 144th in 21:25.64. Just behind Schuchard were Sara Beatty (21:26.22), Ella McKenzie (21:48.66) and Krysten Mossburg (21:54.96).
Hailey Whetten from Weber State claimed the individual title, finishing the course in 16:38.18. Teammate Ellie Child was the runner-up in 16:42.24. Utah placed four runners in the top-10, edging-out Weber State for the team title 51-56. Host Montana State finished fifth in the team competition with 172 points. Montana was seventh with 198 points. MSUB finished 13th in the field with 405 points. Fourteen collegiate teams from the NCAA Division I, II, and the NAIA were in attendance at the meet in Bozeman. “The women’s team improved their results from last year which is encouraging,” MSUB head coach Dave Coppock said. “The team still has a lot to work on this season. There are a lot of new people this year getting used to competition. I think today’s event was an eye-opener for all the new faces. The team has a long road ahead, but that is something they can work on. I think Rio ran a good race after missing practices last week and Lydia also ran a good competitive event. Our top-4 look to be in good shape.” THE BUZZ: Foster with her third-place Yellowjacket finish named the St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Day…a total of 153 runners competed in the event in Bozeman…the MSUB team average was 20:08.82 on the course. UP NEXT: MSU Billings is set to host the NCAA Division II West Region Preview Meet on Friday, Sept. 23. The Yellowjackets are hosting the 2016 NCAA D2 west region championships on Nov. 5, and next week MSUB will preview the course at Amend Park bringing in competition from across the region. The men’s 10K race begins at 10:00 a.m. Admission is free and open to the public during the event. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--