LEWISTON, Idaho - Idaho Women's Cross Country earned its first team victory of the 2023 season at the LC State Invitational Saturday morning, while the men took third. The Vandal women, reigning champions of the meet, took the top spot among the eight team slate with 26 points and the men secured third with 94.

With three top-five finishers and five in the top 15, the Vandal women cruised into first in the 5K. Katja Pattis once again led the way earning second and crossing the finish line at 17:01. Senior Leah Holmgren followed right behind in third with a new personal best of 17:12. The freshmen continued to impress with McKenna Kozeluh taking fifth place at 17:23 and Constanze Paoli in seventh coming in at 17:32. Abigail Thomas, just a second shy of her personal best, came in at 17:48, securing 13th.

Sam Fulbright took seventh in the men's 8K with a 24:30 finish, helping the men earn third place. Senior Tim Stevens finished 22nd crossing the tape at 24:49. Shea Mattson came in 25th at a 24:57 mark. Cruz Flores and Miles Ferguson went neck-and-neck both finishing at 24:59 for 28th and 29th place finishes, respectively.

Next up, the Vandals begin postseason action Oct. 27th at the Big Sky Championships in Missoula, Montana.

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