MSU-N harriers race at the University of Montana Open

This past Friday in Missoula, the Montana State University-Northern cross country teams competed at the University of Montana Open. At the meet, the Lights and Skylights ran against all the other Frontier Conference schools as well as Division II school Montana State University-Billings and Division I schools UM and Montana State University. With such tough competition, MSU-N head coach Chad Spangler was satisfied with how his team performed.

"I was pleased. Everybody showed progress," Spangler said. "Everyone had season records at this point so really pleased with our progress."

The MSU-N men's team finished in sixth place in their meet with an average time of 23:04.10. UM took first in the men's meet with an average time of 21:22.50.

Field Soosloff had the best finish for the Lights as he took 11th place with a time of 21:44.2. During the race, Soosloff paced himself at an average of 5 minutes per mile. Liam Baez-Terry had the second-best finish for the Lights as he took 28th with a time of 22:29.6. Michael Irvine, Brady Albus, Jaden Koon and August Spottedwolf all posted season records in their race on Friday.

The MSU-N women's team took eighth place in their meet with an average time of 20:56.60. MSU won the women's meet with an average time of 17:47.10.

Allison Tigert posted a season record with a time of 18:40 to take 19th in her race. Grace Schwenk also posted a season record with a time of 19:43.5 to take 39th in the meet. Freshmen runners Tamera O'Leary, Hannah Haslem and Brooke Holland also posted season records in their race this weekend.

Along with the tough competition, MSU-N runners had to deal with the UM course itself. During their races, the Lights and Skylights had to deal with the large hill that interrupted their pace. However, Spangler believes that his teams' ability to handle both the course and the competition should help them become more confident as they move forward with the rest of the season.

"I think with them racing very well against top-level Division I athletes, I think they should come away with a little more confidence," Spangler said.

The MSU-N cross country teams will next compete in the Montana State University-Billings Invite on Oct. 8.

Men's Individuals

Field Soosloff, 11th, 21:44.2; Liam Baez-Terry, 28th, 22:29.6; Michael Irvine, 36th, 22:58.5; Brady Albus, 42nd, 23:25.8; Jaden Koon 51st, 24:42.1; August Spottedwolf, 57th, 26:55.8.

Women's Individuals

Allison Tigert. 19th, 18:40.0; Grace Schwenk, 39th, 19:43.5; Tamera O'Leary, 49th, 20:46.5; Hannah Haslem, 58th, 22:09.8; Brooke Holland, 62nd, 23:22.9.