2023-10-14 01:07:30
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MADISON, WIS. – Women’s cross country cracked the top-10 while several men logged personal-bests running alongside many of the nation’s best teams at the Nuttycombe Invitational on Friday, Oct. 13.
The women’s ninth place finish to start the day in Madison is the best for the team since clinching fifth in 2019. The men improved upon their 27th-place finish from the 2022 Nuttycombe Invitational, placing 25th with solid late kicks.
“I’m really proud of our teams today,” Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Lisa Breznau said. “We ran with equal parts composure and grit. I look forward to us exploring the remainder of the season.”
The women’s side was led again by senior Katie Osika who placed 27th overall, running the 6K course in 20:30.1. Senior Makenna Veen followed close behind in 32nd at 20:34.9. Grad-senior Lauren Freeland finished 48th, posting a personal-best time of 20:42.3. Seniors Emily Bardwell and Grace Molloy rounded out the State scoring in 117th and 121st.
The women were able to out-pace several teams listed in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association coaches poll in which MSU was tabbed 14th in the nation. They topped 13 top-30 teams, including No. 8 Washington and No. 10 Colorado. Seven of the eight teams that bested the Spartans ranked above them in the poll.
On the men’s side, senior Andrew Nolan paced the Spartan Scoring in 32nd. Senior Alexander Penski followed in 123rd with a collegiate-best 8K time of 24:30.8. In 141st, senior Owen Huard’s time of 24:38.1 was a tenth of a second off from his personal-best time at the Nuttycombe Invite last year. Senior Josh Smith placed 143rd with a personal-best of his own at 24:38.7 while junior Jack Pennewell capped the scoring contingent in 150th at 24:41.4, also a PR.
In a week’s time, the Spartans will head to Dexter, Mich. for their next competition at the EMU Fall Classic on Friday, Oct. 20th.
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