POCATELLO, Ida.- Highlighting the Idaho State University Bengal Invitational at the Centennial Course, the Montana State University Billings cross country team battled through the elements in Southeast Idaho. The men originally scheduled to start at 3 PM were pushed back to 3:45 but were able to complete their 6k race. On the other hand, the women who were scheduled to start at 3:30 PM, were pushed back to 4:15 and had to cut the race short at 3k due to lightning. The trail at the base of the mountains in the Portneuf Valley proved difficult with harsh weather, as most of the race was muddy and rougher terrain than predicted.
 
Andrew Rush was not affected as he was still able to clock a sub-20-minute 6k and place himself in 12^th. Rush held strong again with the front group and was able to finish with a time of 19:25.3. The freshman ran his best 6k for the 'Jackets beating his previous time by three tenths of a second.
 
As a team, the Yellowjacket men took 4th place out of 4 teams competing and finished with a team score of 101. The Yellowjacket women placed 4^th out of 4 teams and finished with a team score of 106. "It was a memorable day. The men's race was delayed by 45 minutes as well as the women's race due to lightning. It was cold, windy, and rainy for the women's race that was shortened to a 3k," said head coach Jon Woehl. "The course was tough not only because of the weather but the hills as well. I thought we did an overall better job packing up and running together."
 
Wyatt May was next across the line for the Yellowjackets with a time of 20:50.8, placing himself 24^th out of the 59 runners. Bryant Edgerton followed in 33^rd place with a time of 20:31.0, and not far behind Will Hyatt at 20:46.6 in 37th place. Others competing were Nate Tweedy at 21:08.7 in 44^th, Jordi Peiro at 21:35.4 in 49^th, and Jackson Bailey rounded out the Yellowjacket men with a time of 22:50.9 in 57^th place.
 
Cecily Eagleton ran a nice race as well leading the Yellowjacket women in placement for the first time this season. Eagleton clocked in a time of 12:18.7 and placed 25^th in the shortened 3k race.
 
Madeline Severson was right behind Eagleton coming in 28^th place among the 40 runners with a time of 12:30.9. Carey Berendsen was the third finisher for the 'Jackets in 33^rd place and clocking in a time of 12:53.3. Following was Aspen Tolman at 13:02.6 in 35^th, and Toree Manning at 13:04.8. Rounding out the women was Emma Weaver who placed 39^th, with a time of 13:17.9, and Chloe Shennum in 40^th place at 13:25.4.
 
THE BUZZ: Andrew Rush and Cecily Eagleton were named Intermountain Health Performers of the Day.
 
UP NEXT: On October 6^th Montana State University Billings Cross Country is back home for the annual Yellowjacket/ Battlin' Bears Open at Amend Park in Billings, MT.