MINNEAPOLIS –
Nikki Aiken and
Ronald Venema were the top Montana State University Billings individual finishers in men's and women's cross country at the Roy Griak Invitational at Les Bolstad Golf Course in a race hosted by the University of Minnesota Saturday afternoon. Aiken took 49
th position in the 6K with a time of 23:55.5. Venema was 97
th after he ran an 8K in 29:12.8. The Yellowjacket men took 21
st of 28 teams in the NCAA Division II and III event. The MSUB women were 31
st of 32.
"Nikki raced pretty well," commented head coach Jon Woehl. "Overall, the women had a good day. We are in a pretty comparable spot to our times at this point last season. I was pleased with both our teams at the Griak. We stressed all week to stay mentally strong during the entire race and I felt we achieved our objective. Like last time out, there were flashes of really good racing. We need more of that and I'm excited about the potential we have to keep improving."
Kailee Stoppel wound up 158
th in 26:12.5 and was the second fastest for the 'Jacket women's squad. Stoppel was followed by
Sierra Durbin (195
th, 27:30.8),
Miranda Livingston (213
th, 29:10.5), and
Rachel Hiner (218
th, 31.43.2).
Venema finished 20 seconds ahead of teammate
Bryant Edgerton (116
th, 28:32.0) for the men.
Ase Ackerman (121
st, 28:43.3),
Carson Jessop (135
th, 29:07.0), and
Logan Straus (141
st, 29:24.5) were within a short distance of both Venema and Edgerton.
Nick Redgrave (171
st, 31:51.3) and
Will Steinfeldt (176
th, 32:07.5) also competed but did not score points for MSU Billings.
Augustana University (South Dakota) won the women's race with three top-10 finishers and University of Mary was second. Ida Narbuvoll (Sr., UMARY) ran a 5:45 pace to win the individual top-spot for a total time of 21:24.5.
In the men's race, Augustana completed the sweep by placing four runners in the top-10. Steve Brown (University of Sioux Falls) was the top individual with an 8K time of 25:03.0 (5:03 pace). Michigan Tech also had two top-five finishers.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets have two weeks to prepare for their next event, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference preview at Amend Park in Billings October 11. The GNAC Championships are set for October 26, hosted by MSU Billings at Amend Park.
