Nov. 11, 2008

Cross Country Notes: NCAA Mountain Region

QUICKLY
Idaho State traveled to Portland, Oregon, on Nov. 1, for the 2008 Big Sky Conference Cross Country Championships. The women's squad finished fourth, three spots ahead of their predicted finish in the preseason coaches' polls. The Bengals collected 107 points, finishing behind Northern Arizona, Sacramento State and Weber State but ahead of fifth-place Montana and sixth-place Montana State, as well as Eastern Washington, Portland State and Northern Colorado. The men's team came in seventh place, finishing ahead of Portland State and Northern Colorado. Northern Arizona won both races, and NAU athletes won both individual races as well.

ABOUT THE NCAA MOUNTAIN REGION
The top two teams at the regional meet will advance to the National Championships on Nov. 24 in Terre Haute, Indiana, as will the top four individual runners who aren't on one of the top two teams. Northern Arizona's women finished second in 2007. ISU's top finisher in 2007 was Saheed Khan, who took 25th in the men's 10K race.

WOMEN'S RESULTS
Idaho State placed fourth in the nine-team field. Sophomore Erica Wendt turned in the Bengals' best finish, placing 10th after running the 5K course in 17:37.5. Gemma Maini was 12th with a time of 17:42.4. The rest of ISU's runners were: Kerynn Davis (24th, 18:14.7), Chealse Kropushek-Miller (29th, 18:30.0), Cydney Jacobsen (32nd, 18:32.6), Kris Thomasberg (43rd, 18:53.5), Bradi Hutchison (45th, 19:01.2) and Parris Hodges (54th, 19:24.6).

MEN'S RESULTS
Idaho State scored 184 points to take seventh. John Ricardi led ISU, finishing the 8K course in 24:48.9 to finish 23rd. Ryan Davis was right behind him in 24th after posting a 24:54.8. ISU's other runners were: Zach Barrett (37th, 25:33.6), Logan Torgison (44th, 26:03.7), Aaron Wolfe (56th, 27:02.0), Eric Strand (58th, 27:15.9), Chaz Anestos (60th, 27:22.7) and Kyle Sauer (68th, 28:15.9).