BILLINGS, Mont. – Closing the 2022 cross country season in style on Saturday afternoon at Amend Park, Montana State University Billings played host to the NCAA Division II West Region Championship meet.
 
The Yellowjacket men placed 16th among the field of 21 teams competing at the event on the 10k course layout. MSUB's women's team took 23rd place among a field of 25 teams competing in the 6k race. "It was a cold and windy day, and our team really went for it," said MSUB head coach Jonathan Woehl. "Across the board we gave a top-notch effort, and the whole team is trending up which will make indoor season really fun."
 
Leading the way for the 'Jackets in his final cross country race was senior Ase Ackerman, who took 49th place with a time of 31:42.35 minutes. Ackerman bettered his PR in the event by nearly five full seconds, topping his time of 31:47.1 minutes at last year's regional championship. Overall it was the fourth NCAA regional race of Ackerman's career.
 
Sticking with Ackerman the whole way was Logan Straus, who wound up in 51st place with a time of 31:44.56 minutes. Competing in his third regional championship, Straus also concluded his 2022 season with a PR in the 10k distance. "Our seniors once again led the way," Woehl said. "Ase hung with the main peloton most of the day and Logan wasn't far behind – he looked great out there today. Bryant also had a great day and moved up the entire race."
 
Senior Bryant Edgerton also had a good showing, finishing in the upper echelon among the field of 152 runners. Edgerton ran a time of 32:06.08 minutes – also a PR in the 10k – and took 62nd place.
 
Making his debut on the regional stage was freshman Wyatt May, who took 122nd place with a time of 34:01.07 minutes. It was May's first collegiate 10k race. Gaven McColloch also toed the regional course for the first time, and wound up in 127th place with a time of 34:18.7 minutes.
 
Sophomore Jordi Peiro took 132nd place with a time of 34:32.6 minutes, and Kevin Graves rounded out the field of competitors for MSUB in 146th place with a time of 36:03.27 minutes.
 
Simon Fraser's Charlie Dannatt won the race with a time of 30:07.49 minutes, holding off second-place Cole Nash of Alaska Anchorage by nearly three full seconds. Chico State claimed the men's team title with a score of 48, with Western Washington finishing a distant second with 82 points.
 
On the women's side, Kailee Stoppel paced the Yellowackets in the 6k race with a time of 22:47.69 minutes to finish in 74th place among a field of 168 runners. "Kailee is tough, and I'm proud of how she ran," Woehl said. "She always brings it no matter the situation."
 
Freshman Carey Berendsen placed 127th in her first regional meet, clocking a time of 23:54.01 minutes which was her best 6k of the season. Kaylee Dalling took 131st place in her first regional race, running a time of 24:05.08 minutes which was the best time of her freshman season as well.
 
Competing in the regional for the final time, Ally Whitmer placed 134th on her home course with a time of 24:11.26 minutes. Kit Wiersema checked in at 139th with a time of 24:21.75 minutes, and Alahna Lien also competed for the 'Jackets taking 147th with a time of 24:32.38 minutes. "Ally did a great job guiding our pack, and it was good to see all of the women pass some more runners in the final straightaway. The fans were great out there cheering the 'Jackets on. We are looking forward to switching gears after Thanksgiving and starting our indoor meets."
 
Sophomore Madeline Severson was the final 'Jacket to cross the line, posting a time of 25:04.77 minutes and placing 158th.
 
Naomi Bailey of Alaska Fairbanks won the regional title with a time of 20:53.08 minutes, crossing the line five seconds ahead of her teammate Kendall Kramer. Stanislaus State claimed the women's team title with a score of 91 points, narrowly edging second-place Chico State which had 93 points.