Yellowjackets Run Three Times

Men's Results

Women's Result

LA JOLLA, Calif. –  It was a hot and crazy day at the NCAA Division II West Regional Cross Country Championships, Saturday morning.  Montana State Billings scored 577 points to place 20th out of 24 teams for the women (6K).  On the men’s side (10K), the Yellowjackets had just four runners finish.  MSUB has concluded the 2008 season.

For the men, Chico State put six among the top 12 to score 28 points and run away with the title by 39 points.  Rounding out the top five was Alaska Anchorage (2nd – 67), Western Washington (3rd – 103), Western Oregon (4th – 128) and Cal Poly Pomona (5th – 167).  The top three team automatically qualified for nationals.

The men started out at 9:00 a.m.  At some point, the lead biker went the wrong way.  The lead pack went almost three miles before the mistake was discovered.

Race officials made the decision to stop the race and re-run it after the women.  By that time, the temperature was in the mid 80’s and numerous runners were treated for heat exhaustion after the race was finished.  In addition, in the re-start, MSUB runner Kelley Miller fell on a hill and twisted his ankle and was not able to finish.

For the Yellowjackets, Travis Hutchinson was the top finisher running 39:44.90 to finish in 100th place.  He was followed by Taylor Canfield (110th – 41:29.20), Michael Hildebrand (111th – 41:43.70) and Tyson Vanderby (124th – 47:54.70).

For the women, Chico State scored 60 points to win by 32 over Seattle Pacific.  Rounding out the top five was Alaska Anchorage (3rd – 104), Cal State L.A. (4th – 114) and Western Washington (5th – 141).  All of the top five teams qualified for nationals.

For MSUB, Sarah Jackson ran 25:33.40 to finish in 96th place to be the top Jacket.  Rounding out the scoring was Mykel Ler (104th – 25:56.00), Cierra Dornfeld (109th – 26:16.30), Katie Thiel (133rd – 27:35.20) and Cassie Holm (136th – 28:19.40).