CHENEY, Wash. - The Idaho cross country teams kicked off the 2023 season at Eastern Washington's Clash of the Inland Northwest Friday morning. Leah Holmgren's new personal best of 14:20.8 in the 4K earned her a fifth-place finish leading the Vandal women to third in the meet. The Idaho men, led by newcomer Shane Gard, took home second place with three top-20 finishers in the 6K.

"The crew that was here ran great and executed the plan really well", Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, Tim Cawley, said about the Vandals' performance this morning. "Shaking some of the rust off and opening the season, I was proud of the team."

Holmgren opened her senior season with a top-five finish and a new PR in the 4K. The Vandal vet sat in 10th place at the halfway mark and rose five spots through the second half to secure fifth place when she crossed the tape. Sophomore Abigail Thomas sealed 11th place in the clash with a 14:32.7 mark. McKenna Kozeluh captured a top-20 finish in her first collegiate race as she took 18th with a time of 14:42.3.

The junior, Gard, nabbed 14th place finishing the 6K at 18:54.1 during his first meet in Vandal gold. Seniors Shea Mattson and Sam Fulbright also took 16th and 17th for the men's squad at 18:57.4 and 19:00.3 marks, respectively.

The Vandals are back in action Friday, Sept. 15 to face the Cougars at the Washington State Invite in Colfax, Wash.

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