@UNC_TrackField XC Takes Strides at Montana State Invite

Saturday, September 17

Bozeman, MT

All Day

University of Northern Colorado

Montana State University Invite

9/17/2016 2:33:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country

By: UNCBears.com

Women's Individual | Men's Individual | Women's Team | Men's Team

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Northern Colorado XC competed in its second meet of the season at the Montana State Invite on Saturday.

The women's team placed seventh overall with the top five times accumulating 1:30:32.20, while the men's team came in eighth place with a total time of 2:15:00.43.

The Utah Utes took the team title in the women's field, while the Utah State Aggies placed first in the men's standings.

BEST FINISHES
For the second time in as many races, Kami Kennedy paced the women's team. Kennedy earned a Top 40 finish out of the 110-member field, coming in 35th with a time of 17:50 (5:57 avg. mile). She was the only Bear on the women's side that placed in the Top 40.

Just outside the Top 40 was Katy East. East took the 46^th on the individual leaderboard. East crossing the finish line in 17:59 (6:00 avg. mile).

Leaders for the men's team were Nick Bailey and Kingston Wagner. Bailey was at the top of the pack, placing just outside the Top 50 in the field of 76 runners, finishing 51st. Bailey completed his day in 26:51 (5:20 avg. mile).

Wagner was just a few seconds behind Bailey, finishing the run in 26:58 (5:24 avg. mile) good for 56^th place.

MORE TIMES
Alicia Thompson and Rikki Gonzales were in the middle of the pack for UNC. Thompson placed 55th and Gonzales 56th, running identical times of 18:11.

Cammy Sargent completed the placers on the women's team, crossing the line in 18:19, earning 62^nd place.

The heart of the men's team consisted Tristan Irish and Jeremy Romero. Irish was just one spot shy of Wagner, coming in 57^thafter posting an identical time of 26:58.
Romero ran his way to a 27:11 time, taking 60^th on the leaderboard.

Josh Campbell rounded out the men's team placers, finishing in 61^st overall, also with a time of 27:11.

COACH ROBBINS' THOUGHTS
"The men's team showed a ton of maturity for a group of seven freshman and one senior. They knew the plan going in and executed it extremely well. I was very proud of this group and what they showed today. Our women looked strong and ran with confidence. They are getting more and more sure of themselves as they race. With returners like Rikki [Gonzales] to set the tone and push the younger ladies, I think we will have a great season. This is an amazing group of young women and I believe they are starting to see how talented they actually are."

UP NEXT
The cross country teams will stay in-state for its next go-around, competing in the Rocky Mountain Shootout hosted by the University of Colorado on Oct. 1.