SALEM, Ore. – Kristian Børve took third in his Vandal debut, as Jesse Redding led the Idaho women for the first time this season, placing sixth in Saturday's Charles Bowles Invitational at Willamette University. 

HEAR FROM THE VANDALS
"Overall it was a great performance from both teams out here in Oregon," Director of Track and Field Tracy Hellman said after the meet. "I felt that we had a nice improvement from our last race and we trending positively towards championship season. It was also beneficial to experience a race in a large field from different areas of the country."

"(I) felt pretty good," Kristian Børve stated post race. "It was a struggle for the whole time, but I knew I could hold it. I think the team did overall good, but there is room for improvement."

" I felt like I was focused and had a good mindset coming into it," Sophomore Jesse Redding said of her race. "I think our team raced super competitively and ran for a bigger purpose. I am so proud of everyone and how they raced with their hearts. The atmosphere was fun and energetic, and everyone was super excited to have the opportunity to race."

HOW IT HAPPENED
Børve's third place debut in Black and Gold helped the Vandal men to a third straight runner-up finish. Miles Ferguson continued his strong start to 2025, setting an 8K personal best, 24:22.97, crossing the line in 20th. Boise native Jens Knutsen posted his best finish at Idaho, placing 23rd and shaving nearly two minutes off his previous 8K collegiate best, finishing in 24:30.29. Zac Knapp was right on his heels, coming in 24th at 24:30.64. James Hodgson rounded out the scoring for Idaho in 33rd. 

"I thought Kristian had an outstanding race for his first opener, and I thought Jens had a breakout performance," Hellman explained. "For the men to finish runner up in a quality field was a great spot for our program."

Redding set a 5K personal best, en route to her sixth place finish, with the Idaho women finishing third as a team, just five points behind Portland. Alex Terry followed up her meet victory at the Montana Invite with a 13th place finish in Salem, her third straight top-15 finish this season. Finishing in 24th, Abigail Thomas ran an 18 minute 5K, the second fastest of her college career. Sophomore Pia Kircher and junior Mary Nakamura crossed the line in 34th and 38th, respectively, to close out the scoring for the Vandals. 

"The women looked strong and we continue to build towards championship season," Hellman said post race. "I thought Jesse and Mary both had breakout races and our whole team did a great job."

UP NEXT
Next weekend, Idaho makes the 30 mile trip south to Lewiston to compete in the Lewis-Clark Invitational, the final meet on their regular season schedule.