MISSOULA, Mont. – Highlighting the University of Montana Invitational on Friday at the UM Golf Course, Montana State University Billings freshman Andrew Rush had another strong performance in his second cross country meet of his collegiate career.
 
Rush powered through the finish line with a time of 25:43.8 on the 8K course, edging Eastern Washington University's Owen Higgins by just two seconds to secure a top-25 finish. "Andrew had a very strong first ever 8k," said head coach Jonathan Woehl.
 
As a team, the Yellowjacket men took seventh place out of eleven teams competing. The men were 21 points ahead of Clark College in team score, finishing with 215 points. The Yellowjacket women finished ninth place among the thirteen teams competing. Their team average for the 5k course was 21:01.3 which resulted in 272 points.
 
Wyatt May crossed the finish line at 27:21.7, taking 57^th out of 86 competitors. "It was good to have Wyatt back on the course racing for us," said Woehl. Junior transfer Will Hyatt followed May across the line with a time of 27:29.3 finishing in 59^th. Nate Tweedy also had a respectable freshman 8k debut with a time of 28:37.7 while taking 68^th. Rounding out the Yellowjacket men was Jordi Peiro at 29:13.1 in 74^th, and Jackson Bailey at 29:56.1 in 79^th.
 
Madeline Severson led the way on the 5k course for the Yellowjacket women, clocking in a time of 20:30.5 and taking 69^th place out of 94 runners. "Madeline ran well, she did a great job of being more patient at the start and was able to have a much stronger finish," said Woehl.
 
Cecily Eagleton also had a strong showing following right on the tail of Severson while finishing with a time of 20:35.7, taking 71^st place. Not far behind was Carey Berendsen in her first race of 2023 clocking in at 21:04.5 in 74^th. Rounding out the MSUB women was Aspen Tolman at 21:12.5 in 79^th, Toree Manning at 21:43.9 in 83^rd, Emma Weaver at 22:53.0, and Chloe Shennum at 23:06.7 in 90^th place.
 
"I'm happy with how they did. We saw some good improvements from last week, especially while running on some tired legs. We've got one more tough week coming up, looking forward to some hills at the Centennial Course in Pocatello," Woehl added.

THE BUZZ: Andrew Rush and Madeline Severson were named Intermountain Health Performers of the Day.
 
­­UP NEXT: On September 22^nd the Yellowjackets head to Pocatello, Idaho for the ISU Bengal Invitational. The race is set to be held at the Centennial Course.