MSU-N run a success

In just two weeks, the Montana State University-Northern men’s and women’s cross country teams will make their Frontier Conference debut as a varsity sport.

And while fund-raising for the program was a big part of last Saturday’s first-ever Maroon and Gold Fun Run, it was also a chance for the head coach Chad Spangler’s team to get out and compete as well.

The Maroon Team won Spangler’s intra-squad competition, with former Rocky Boy Star Tristen Belgarde coming in at 38:22 in the 10K race. Former Havre Blue Pony Jamie Lieberg led the Gold Team with a time of 40:03.

Meanwhile, over 130 runners and walkers, as well as 50 volunteers turned out for last Saturday’s event, which was to support the new MSU-N cross country program. Garrett Aguillard won the men’s 10K race with a time of 35:58, while Leslie Zelmer captured the women’s race with a time of 45:44. In the 5K, Garrett Ohm won with a time of 18:45, while Karen Notte finished first in the women’s race with a time of 24:08.

The Northern cross country teams make their season debut Sept. 11 at the Carroll College Early Bird meet in Helena. For more on the new MSU-N program, see next week’s Havre Daily News.