Young Griz teams run well in deep fields at WSU Cougar Classic

Friday, September 13

Colfax, Wash.

Montana

WSU Cougar Classic

Griz Cross Country races during a cross country meet at the University of Montana Golf Course in Missoula, Montana on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

Photo by: Ryan Brennecke/ University of Montana

Young Griz teams run well in deep fields at WSU Cougar Classic

9/13/2024 8:31:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Results

By: Montana Sports Information

The young Montana Grizzly cross country teams traveled to Colfax, Wash. on Friday for the WSU Cougar Classic. For many on the roster, it was their first time competing at the 6K and 8K distances of the race and very likely the deepest field that they have ever been a part of in their running careers.

The field included 13 teams on the women's side and 14 on the men's side with notable schools filling up the starting line. Montana finished 9^th in both the men's and the women's competition.

"It was a really big, competitive meet so it was a great experience for all of our underclassmen," head coach Doug Fraley said. "A lot of our guys had never run 8K before and a lot of the women hadn't run 6K before and so it was a very valuable experience. They competed very well I thought."

Montana's top finisher on the day was sophomore Henry Ballinger. The Helena product ran a massive career-best, cutting nearly two minutes off his previous best with a time of 24:29.6 that resulted in a 24^th place finish in the 171-athlete field.

Fellow sophomore Carson Steckelberg finished right behind him in 28^th place with a career best of his own, running a 24:32.2 time.

The women were led by newcomer Abigail Kotran who finished in 59^th with a time of 22:32.0 in her first career 6K. Junior Iris McKean, one of just two upperclassmen to run for Montana, finished in 68^th place with a time of 22:45.2. The time was just off her career-best.

The Grizzlies also had a great run from freshman Olivia Coll. After finishing in eighth on the team in her first race two weeks ago, Coll improved all the way to third on Montana's roster and 72^nd overall with a time of 22:49.6.

"Abigail, Iris, and the freshman Olivia Coll had really good efforts today on the women's side. Henry Ballinger and Carson Steckelberg were excellent for the men," Fraley said. "They had really big PRs over the 8K distance, so we got what we expected from our leaders on each side and a lot of the freshmen ran with a lot of heart and really did a good job. I'm very proud of the group today in stiff competition."

In a familiar story for Montana, four of the nine men were running their first race at this distance and five of the women were freshmen competing in their first 6K. Fraley loved the fight that his team showed through the very end of the race. Colin Shaules had a PR for the Griz with his time of 25:50.5.

The Grizzlies now get a chance to return to Missoula and run on their home course next week. After the experience of the large field in Colfax and the steep test against some of the top cross country teams in the region, Fraley and his team are looking forward to the familiarity of their home course.

The women's race will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 and the men's race will follow at 6:45 p.m. The races will be held at the University of Montana Golf Course.

"It's great because you kind of get this under your belt and get to go home next weekend and run on a course that is familiar to you and not have to travel," Fraley said. "We're looking forward to that. We think this was a good stepping stone and we're expecting a good performance next weekend at home."

Montana Men's Results (8K)
24. Henry Ballinger (24:29.6*)
28. Carson Steckelberg (24:32.2*)
59. Lane Krautschun (25:10.7)
77. Luke Mest (25:33.3)
83. Keagen Crosby (25:43.6)
87. Colin Shaules (25:50.5*)
91. Morgan Amano (25:53.1)
95. Truman Thompson (25:58.8)
102. Zachary Giesch (26:11.1)

Montana Women's Results (6K)
59. Abigail Kotran (22:32.0)
68. Iris McKean (22:45.2)
72. Olivia Coll (22:49.6)
80. Heidi Olson (22:58.6)
85. Shay Pederson (23:03.0)
100. Sofia Hinderman (23:22.7)
104. Libby Hartz (23:31.4)
105. Lucy Thompson (23:32.6)

Men's Team Scores
1. Boise State – 60
2. Washington State – 62
3. Gonzaga – 64
4. Arizona – 127
5. Eastern Washington – 134
6. Northwest Nazarene – 165
7. Idaho – 182
8. UC San Diego – 199
9. Montana – 217
10. Lewis-Clark – 231
11. Whitworth – 301
12. Seattle U – 352
13. Spokane CC – 400
14. Walla Walla – 458

Women's Team Scores
1. Gonzaga – 39
2. Boise State – 49
3. Washington State – 50
4. UC San Diego – 122
5. Eastern Washington – 152
6. Idaho – 169
7. Seattle U – 174
8. Arizona – 266
8. Montana – 266
10. Whitworth – 317
11. Northwest Nazarene – 318
12. Lewis-Clark – 330
13. Spokane CC - 380