SPEARFISH, S.D. – Claiming victory at the Gage McSpadden Invitational on Saturday at Spearfish Canyon Country Club, Montana State University Billings senior Ase Ackerman began the Yellowjackets' 2022 fall campaign with a statement performance.
 
Ackerman cruised across the finish line in a personal-best time of 18:52.19 on the 6k course, edging Black Hills State University's Matt Parker by just over five seconds to claim the title. He defended last year's title at the event while finishing nearly 30 seconds faster than his winning mark of 19:21.5 in 2021.
 
"Ase got the win and shaved off some time from last year, and most of the men's returners shaved off time which is a good sign," said MSUB head coach Jonathan Woehl. "It was a strong showing by both of our teams, and it was good to see a few of our runners working together. It was a strong first meet, and we will be better next weekend in Bozeman."
 
As a team the Yellowjacket men took fourth place while the women finished in third among the four teams competing.
 
Logan Straus clocked in a personal best time of 19:43.01 and took 11th place, in another highlight performance on the men's side. In his first race in an MSUB uniform, Wyatt May took 15th among the field of 45 runners with a time of 20:05.93 minutes.
 
Jordi Peiro finished in 29th place in 20:50.79, and Bryant Edgerton followed along with him in 20:57.64 for the 'Jackets. Also competing was Gaven McColloch in 33rd place at 21:27.53, Kevin Graves in 38th place at 21:59.54, and Jackson Bailey in 43rd place at 22:52.33.
 
Kailee Stoppel led the Yellowjacket women, taking fourth place in a time of 20:12.13. Ally Whitmer finished in 11th place in 21:14.56, and Kaylee Dalling had a strong first showing in an MSUB uniform taking 14th place with a time of 21:27.44.
 
The Yellowjackets stuck together on the course, with the trio of Kit Wiersema, Madeline Severson, and Casey Berendsen finishing in 18th-through-20th. Wiersema put down a time of 22:21.41, Severson was close behind in 22:25.65, and Berendsen crossed the line with a mark of 22:32.57.
 
Kylee Halpin took 22nd place among the field of 32 runners, with a time of 22:58.68, and Toree Manning wasn't far behind in 25th with a time of 23:21.68.
 
Xiomara Robinson of host Black Hills State won the women's race in 18:24.43, and BHSU won the team title with 31 points.
 
THE BUZZ: Ackerman was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Runner of the Day.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets head to Bozeman next week for the MSU Cross Country Classic, scheduled for Sept. 17 at Bridger Creek Country Club.