NDSU cross country teams compete at Bison Invitational

The Bison men and women cross country teams opened their season in Fargo on Friday at the Rose Creek Golf Course. Both teams are tabbed to finish high in the Summit League this season and their results at the Bison Invitational were promising.

The women won the three-team invitational, beating North Dakota by the score of 15-35 and handled South Dakota State 19-39 in the double dual scoring format. The men’s team saw good individual results despite falling to North Dakota 49-18, and to South Dakota State 34-21. UND edged SDSU 28-32 to win the invitational.

On the women’s side, it was the debut of Brecca Wahlund that highlighted the meet. After sitting out the 2011 season as a redshirt, Wahlund captured the individual title after completing the five-kilometer course in 18:14.47.

“Last year was more of a rougher season,” said Wahlund. “I ended up redshirting and it didn’t go as well for me with running. And now, I feel better this year. I’m where I should be and it just feels good to be back running again.”

The Bison claimed the top four places and six of the top seven spots. Junior Maddie McClellan (18:20.66), sophomore Abbi Aspengren (18:21.79) and junior Heidi Peterson (18:42.92) followed Wahlund across the finish line.

“At the beginning of the race, to have the top four working together and then Brecca kind of pulled away at the end of the race and she did a great job,” said coach Ryun Godfrey.

Senior Faith Kruchowski and true freshman Tarin Lachowitzer finished sixth and seventh, respectively.

For the men’s team, junior Grady Anderson led the way for NDSU with his fifth place performance, finishing the eight-kilometer course in 26:49.29. Redshirt freshman Brendan Skime placed 11th in 27:07.97 and sophomore Lucas Degree was 15th in 27:38.08.

It wasn’t the start the Bison were looking for, but coach Don Larson was not worried.

“A bit of a rough start today but that was somewhat expected,” said Larson. “We didn’t come into camp fully healthy.”

NDSU was picked to finish second in the Summit League and that is still attainable in the coach’s eye.

“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing,” said Larson. “As the season passes, we’ll get some guys off the injured reserve list and we’ll move forward.”

Both the men and women’s teams will compete next on Sept. 14 at the South Dakota Invitational in Brookings, S.D.

Quotes courtesy of GoBison.com