MISSOULA, Montana - Idaho men's and women's cross country both collected fourth-place finishes at the 2023 Big Sky Championships this morning at the University of Montana Golf Course.
Katja Pattis took home eighth place, 54 seconds behind winner Elise Stearns, at 17:15.9. The junior earned her second career Big Sky All-Conference honors and helped the Vandal women finish fourth overall with 109 points.
Abigail Thomas finished in 25th at 18:19.3 and
Leah Holmgren was just behind with a time of 18:21.1 for 26th. The Idaho freshmen rounded out the top 30 with
Constanze Paoli taking 28th (18:25.2) and
McKenna Kozeluh at 30th (18:26.9).
Pattis, the former Big Sky Female Freshman of the Year, improved from her previous Championship performances after a 10th place finish in 2021 and 15th in 2022.
The Vandal men also took fourth place with 119 points. The top four men's racers finished within four seconds of each other.
Sam Fulbright came in 21st at 25:02.2 and
Lorenz Herrmann in 22nd at 25:02.8.
Tim Stevens simultaneously crossed the tape at 25:03.2 for 23rd and
Shea Mattson in 24th at 25:05.4.
Shane Gard took 35th finishing at 25:30.2.
"It was a great battle out there today, they fought through the weather conditions", said Idaho Director of Track and Field/Cross Country
Tim Cawley of the squads, "I'm super proud of them."
No. 1 ranked Northern Arizona swept both the men's and women's competition.
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The Vandals travel to California for the NCAA West Regional hosted by Sacramento State at Haggin Oaks Golf Course on Nov. 10th.
