HELENA, Mont. -- The Carroll College cross country team saw some positive strides from a small contingent of Saints that traveled to Great Falls to compete in the Providence Open on Friday. 

"Our plan was to take those that had not raced the previous weekends," Saints coach Shannon Flynn said. "I thought everyone made some positive improvements."

Sophomore Spencer Swaim led the Saints, finishing fifth overall in a time of 27:02.69. Swaim had been working back into shape after some discomfort this fall.  

"It was about where we expect him to be without having not done a hard workout in over two weeks and not having run much in the course of that time," Flynn said. "I think both he and I felt positive about it." 

It was Swaim's second meet of the season, though it was the first time the Saints fully unleashed him on a course. Last weekend, Swaim used the meet for a tempo run. 

The other runner for the men's team was Anthony Langton, who ran a time of 34:26.63, which was a big improvement over his opening meet time of 37:00.60. 

On the women's side, the Saints took three runners, who also had a strong showing. 

London Lambrecht finished 14th in a time of 22:22.32. Lambrecht is a bit of a pleasant surprise for the Saints, as the runner came to Carroll with an eye on the 800-meter race during track season. 

"She's been really positive and worked really hard," Flynn said. "She moves really well and has looked good in our workouts. I was really happy for her."

Hannah Johnson (19th, 24:07) and Traci Johnston (21st, 24:26) were the other runners competing for Carroll on Friday. 

Carroll has a two-week training period until traveling to Missoula, Montana, for the Montana Invitational. 

Full results can be found here.