Montana finishes strong at WSU Cougar Classic

Friday, September 11

Pullman, Wash.

6:30 PM (MT)

Montana

Washington State

Montana hosts the Montana Invitational on September 19, 2025, on the UM Golf Course, in Missoula, Montana.

Photo by: Ella Palulis/University of Montana

9/11/2026 8:56:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Results

By: Montana Sports Information

Montana cross country head coach Doug Fraley hoped that the steep competition and longer racing distance for the men would bring out the best in his Grizzlies. Running against a top-25 Washington State team, his Montana team held its own Friday evening in a strong performance at the WSU Cougar Classic.

It was another great day for Luke Mest, who led Montana for the second straight race with a new personal best 8K time of 23:50.1. He was one of four Grizzlies on the men's side that ran personal best times at the championship distance.

Washington State's men are ranked No. 11 in the country with last year's third place finisher at the NCAA Championship Solomon Kipchoge leading the way. Mest hung with the top runners for a long while and finished fast across the finish line to come in before the 24-minute mark.

"Another really strong run from Luke to lead our men's team to a strong finish," head coach Doug Fraley said. "He's come into the season at a high level of fitness and has competed really strong in the first two races."

Sophomore Albert Turner and senior Carson Steckelberg both finished in the top 10 in the event. Turner ran a personal best time of 24:24.9 to come in 7^th place and Steckelberg ran a time of 25:00.1 to finish 10^th.

"It was great to see (Turner) run a strong second for us," Fraley said. "He's gaining a lot confidence in year two."

The depth of Montana's men was once again on display as sophomore Henry Sund came in right behind Steckelberg. Truman Thompson was 14^th overall with a PR time of 25:31.3. Zachary Giesch, who finished 3^rd on Montana's roster last week, was 6^th this week but still finished in the top 15. Keagen Crosby rounded things out with a 17^th place finish.

The Grizzly women were led for the second straight week by Olivia Coll. Once again running the 5K distance, Coll nearly set her personal best time by finishing in 18 minutes, 11 seconds. She was 13^th overall.

Freshman Rose Conway missed last week's race with an illness but was able to make her collegiate debut on Friday. She finished second on Montana's roster and 15^th overall with a time of 18:20.6.

"Olivia did a great job in leading our women's team again this week and it was a very solid college debut for (Conway) in her first race as a Griz," Fraley said.

The Grizzlies will now return home next week to host the Montana Invite. The meet will be held at the UM Golf Course with the women kicking things off at 6:00 p.m. and the men following at 6:30 p.m.

MONTANA MEN'S FINISHES
1. Luke Mest (23:50.1*, 4^th)
2. Albert Turner (24:24.9*, 7^th)
3. Carson Steckelberg (25:00.1, 10^th)
4. Henry Sund (25:18.5, 12^th)
5. Truman Thompson (25:31.3*, 14^th)
6. Zachary Giesch (25:33.5, 15^th)
7. Keagen Crosby (25:38.7*, 17^th)

MONTANA WOMEN'S FINISHES
1. Olivia Coll (18:11.4, 13^th)
2. Rose Conway (18:20.6, 15^th)
3. Heidi Olson (19:14.2, 21^st)
4. Malia Bradford (19:14.7, 22^nd)
5. Libby Hartz (19:55.7, 25^th)

*Denotes PR

MEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. Washington State (17)
2. Montana (44)
3. Central Washington (82)

WOMEN'S TEAM SCORES
1. Washington State (15)
2. Central Washington (52)
3. Montana (77)