Men's Cross Country | 11/06/20 | 8:20 PM

HELENA, Mont. -- The Carroll College Fighting Saints women's cross country team are Frontier Conference Champions, while sophomore Reghan Worley is the women's overall champion.

On the men's side James Normandeau and Connor qualified for the national meet as individuals. 

"I'm so proud of both of our teams for today and more than that for grit and growth they've exhibited over the last seven months of training and this fall semester," Saints coach Shannon Flynn said. "It is always fun to see the athletes reap the rewards of the work and the struggles." 

The Saints won the conference meet in Havre, Montana, on Friday at Prairie Farms Golf Course. The Saints were first with 34 total places, beating out second place Montana Western, which had 59 places. 

"The women are so deserving of this conference championship and they truly earned it together," Flynn said. "Despite some abnormal race strategies and jostling in the first half of the race, they stayed composed and confident. It was an uncomfortable way to run and their finish highlighting their toughness and determination. 

Worley won the championship in a time of 19:07.50, outpacing Eireann O'Connor of Montana Western, who placed second in a time of 19:10.

"Reghan's individual championship was a highlight and is a testament to their meticulous work ethic and fearless racing today," Flynn said. "We had talked about making a gutsy move at 800 to go and she executed to perfection."  

Four Saints women finished in the Top 10, with three joining Worley. Natalie Yocum placed sixth in a time of 19:36, while Elly Machado took seven in a time of 19:39. Kendyl Pierson was right behind in eighth in a time of 19:41. 

Mckenna Bomengen rounded out the Saints Top 5 with a time of 20:18.90 to place 12th. 

The men as a team finished second overall with 45 points, just five spots back of men's champion Rocky Mountain. 

James Normandeau paced the Saints with a fifth place finish, running a time of 27:04.30. Connor O'Hara was close behind, placing second in a time of 27:13.90. 

Zach Rector (ninth) also cracked the Top 10 in a time of 27:27.80. Spencer Swaim finished in 12th overall in a time of 27:44.80, while Jonah Fisher placed 13th in a time of 27:53.80. 

"The second place finish on the men's side is a big step forward for us and it became even more clear to me today that this is a special group," Flynn said. "They had some great performances but are hungry for more as a team and it is going to propel us to a focused spring."

The men's team will wait to learn if they receive an at-large bid to the national meet, which is scheduled April 9, 2021, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.