Women’s Cross Country Takes Sixth at GNAC, Men Ninth

Women's Results
Men's Results

YAKIMA, Wash. – The Montana State Billings women’s and men’s cross country teams took part in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships early Saturday afternoon in Yakima, WA. The women’s team had a good showing, finishing sixth overall while the men placed ninth in the event.

“I was really happy with our women,” said head coach Dave Coppock. “I thought we made a lot of progress in the region and conference. This race sets us up for regional and we did what we could. Finishing just behind the 10th place team in the region (Western Oregon) gives us a lot of confidence going into the next race.”

Once again, Lisa Minnehan was the first runner across the finish line for the Yellowjackets, finishing 19th overall, covering the 6,000 kilometer course in a time of 23:42. The senior ran an average mile of 6:21.5 and was 2:39 behind GNAC champion, Jessica Pixler of Seattle Pacific (21:03).

The second runner in for MSUB was senior Leah Thompson who had another great race, finishing in the top-25 with a time of 24:04. Finishing 37th overall was junior Sarah Jackson, crossing the line in 24:31, while Mykel Ler was 47th in a time of 24:53. Mary Owen (25:09), Kristen Yeley (25:10) and Katie Thiel (26:19) rounded out the scoring for MSUB, finishing in 55th, 56th and 69th respectively.

Pixler won the individual race followed by Sarah Porter of Western Washington, then Miriam Kipngeno, Shoshana Keegan and Ruth Keino all of Alaska Anchorage. UAA placed all five of their runners in order from third to seventh, giving them just 25 points to win the overall team competition.

The Seawolves were followed by Seattle Pacific (48), Western Washington (64), Northwest Nazarene (114), Western Oregon (146), MSUB (167), Alaska Fairbanks (196), Central Washington (205) and Saint Martin’s (255).

On the men’s side, freshman Daniel Lombardi paced the Yellowjacket runners, covering the 8,000 kilometer course in time of 27:39 for a 41st place finish. He was followed by Taylor Canfield (28:24), Tyson Vanderby (28:50) and Travis Hutchinson (29:00). Finishing off the scoring for MSUB was Ryan Blomback in 69th (29:13), Travis Buttelman (29:20) and Tucker Shuler (30:41).

“The men ran much better this year than last year,” Coppock added. “We’re still young and still have a ways to go, but we’re making improvements and that’s what matters.”

The cross country team next races at the NCAA West Regional on Saturday, Nov. 7, in San Francisco, CA. The meet will be hosted by San Francisco State with a time to be announced.

The men’s race was won by Marko Cheseto from Alaska Anchorage in a time of 24:50. Following Cheseto was Bennett Grimes and Jordan Wellings of Western Washington, and Alfred Kangogo and Micah Chelim of Alaska Anchorage.

Despite placing three of its runners in the top-five, Alaska Anchorage finished runner-up in the team event behind Western Washington who scored 33 points. Western Oregon finished third, followed by Northwest Nazarene, Seattle Pacific, Central Washington, Saint Martin’s, Alaska Fairbanks and MSUB.