MSU-N runners race against top talent

The Montana State University-Northern cross country teams made their debut as a sport two weeks ago in Helena. And while the Carroll Early Bird Meet was an eye-opening experience for the MSU-N runners, Northern's second race of the season was an even bigger challenge.

Last Saturday, the Lights and Skylights competed at the Montana State Invitational, held at Bridger Creek Golf Course in Bozeman. There, the Lights and Skylights got a look at NCAA Division I competition, as the meet not only featured the host Bobcats, as well as the Montana Grizzlies, but other teams from the Big Sky Conference, and the west region as well.

So yet again, the meet was another good experience as head coach Chad Spangler's teams continue to get their feet wet in the world of collegiate cross country.

As for the results, the Northern men competed in the Division I race, and finished with a team score of 317. Utah State won the meet with a score of 45.

Individually, Jamie Lieberg paced the Lights with a time of 31:38.80, while Will Ketchum finished in 32:30.61 and Tristen Belgarde came in in 32:45.79 to lead the scoring. Sundance Lodge, Justin Seevers and Alex Williams also raced for the Lights in Bozeman.

On the women's side, Northern runners competed in the Class B race, which was mostly composed of non-division 1 runners, and the Skylights turned in some solid times.

Rachel Nelson led the MSU-N pack with a 29th-place finish in 22:28.20, while McKenna Barkus, Amelia Clark and Breck Don ran close together. Barkus came in 32nd, Clark was 33rd and Don was 34th. Courtney Cota rounded out the scoring for the Skylights with a 39th-place finish.

Northern will now have a week off before competing in the University of Montana Invitational Oct. 3 in Missoula.

Montana State Invitational

Men

Team Scores

Utah State 45, Montana State 77, Idaho State 85, Montana 87, Carroll 108, MSU-Billings 126, Rocky Mountain 230, UM-Western 278, MSU-Northern 317.

Lights

Jamie Lieberg, 42nd, 31:38.80; Will Ketchum, 44th, 32:30.61; Tristen Belgarde, 4th, 32:45.79; Sundance Lodge, UA, 49th, 36:00.59; Justin Seevers, 50th, 38:03.59; Alex Williams, 51st, 38:04.88.

Women

Team Scores

Utah 35, Utah State 41, Montana State 80, Montana 120, Carroll 121, Idaho State 131, MSU-Billings 233, UM-Western 254, MSU-Northern 272.

Skylights (Non Division I Race)

Rachel Nelson, 29th, 22:28.20; McKenna Barkus, 32nd, 22:47.39; Amelia Clark, 33rd, 22:58.21; Breck Don, 34th, 23:13.52; Courtney Cota, 39th, 24:36.21.