Men's Cross Country | 09/21/24 | 12:58 PM

Missoula, Mont. –  The Fighting Saints Cross Country Team had a strong outing at the University of Montana Cross Country Invitational in Missoula, Mont. on Friday.

The No. 15 Saints men bounced back from a tough loss last meet to place 2nd overall behind only NCAA Division I University of Montana. They beat RV Rocky Mountain scoring 55 points to the Battlin' Bears' 66. Zack Gacnik was a highlight, winning the meet for the men. Connor O'Hara and Brycen Gardner also ran very well placing 7th and 18th respectively with O'Hara as the 2nd NAIA runner in the meet.

The RV Saints women had a great team effort placing 2nd to the University of Montana. They beat both No. 19 Montana Tech and No. 22 Rocky Mountain for the second time each this season, demonstrating consistency across the board. Hailey Watkins was the top placer for the Saints in 12th with Isabelle Ruff, Anna Terry, and Hannah Sempf also in the Top 20.

"We were really proud of how both groups focused on the team and showed a sense of urgency on the course today," said Head Coach Shannon Flynn. "We had some great breakthroughs that will give us momentum moving forward," she added, "but it was especially fun to see that we kept the floor high and took steps to get just a little bit better which was one of our goals."

Full results are available HERE.

The Saints go to work next week before racing at the Yellowjackets/Battlin Bears Open in Billings, Mont. on Friday October 4 which will serve as the Frontier Conference Preview.

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