RESULTS
MISSOULA, Mont. –
If it’s not the nationally ranked fields, it’s the conditions that make the Big Sky Championships one of the hardest conference races in the country every year. The Portland State cross country teams faced that challenge Friday at the University of Montana Golf Course.
With snow on the ground on an already hilly course and the Vikings racing against fields that featured the No. 1-ranked Northern Arizona men’s and women’s teams, the Vikings placed 10th in both sides of the race. The Lumberjacks, to no one’s surprise, swept the team titles.
“The Big Sky is a highly competitive conference in cross country. For many on our roster, this was their first time competing at this meet,” Portland State head coach Jonathan Marcus said afterwards. “I really appreciate everyone’s efforts today and willingness to do hard things in a tough environment. We’ll use today’s experience to learn from and get ready for the NCAA West Regional meet.”
The Viking women narrowly missed finishing higher in the women’s 5k as they were only four points behind Idaho State for ninth and 15 points behind Montana for eighth.
Jamie Zamrin led the Viking women with a strong finishing kick over the final mile. Zamrin was third in the Vikings’ lineup and 53rd overall through two miles of the race but jumped 12 spots over the final mile to place 41st overall in 18:50.1.
Abi Swain moved up steadily throughout the race, going from 55th after the first mile to 48th after the second. Swain jumped another three runners from there to place 45th overall in 18:57.8.
Laura Beghin stepped up in the absence of Emma Stolte, the team’s usual No. 3 runner, placing 52nd overall in 19:10.1. Beghin jumped seven spots between the first and second miles, going from 59th up to 52nd where she’d finish.
Peyten Woodruff finished 63rd overall in 19:41.1 as the team’s fourth runner, while Taylor Nichols closed out the team score at 70th overall in 20:03.5.
Campbell Faust (73rd, 20:18.6), Addison Capozzi (77th, 20:34.8) and Dyllan Newville (79th, 21:55.9) also ran for the Vikings.
The Viking men raced with only five runners active Friday. Zach Grams led the way at 47th overall in 25:51.9. Abdinajib Abade finished as the team’s second runner at 66th overall in 27:40.7. Abdi Ibrahim followed at 69th overall in 28:21.1.
Freshmen Lyness Ota (71st, 28:30.3) and Amir Ahmed (74th, 29:24.3) got their first taste of the Big Sky meet while closing out the team score.
“These guys battled out there today. They gave it their all in a difficult environment,” Marcus said of the Viking men. “Today’s experience serves as motivation and insight into just how competitive cross country in the Big Sky really is. Moving forward, we’ll use what we’ve learned today to inform how we’ll get better.”
The Vikings continue their postseason swing with the NCAA West Regional in Sacramento, Calif., on Nov. 10. It’ll be another tough field that the Vikings will face there, though they’re less likely to see snow on the ground.
Big Sky Championships
University of Montana Golf Course
Missoula, Mont.
Oct. 27, 2023
Women’s Top Ten Finishers (5k):
1. Elise Stearns, Northern Arizona, 16:21.1; 2. Annika Reiss, Northern Arizona, 16:44.3; 3. Aliandrea Upshaw, Northern Arizona, 16:46.2; 4. Gracelyn Larkin, Northern Arizona, 16:47.6; 5. Maisie Grice, Northern Arizona, 16:51.0; 6. Ruby Smee, Northern Arizona, 16:53.3; 7. Nikita Moore, Northern Arizona, 17:08.4; 8. Katja Pattis, Idaho, 17:15.9; 9. Kyla Christopher-Moody, 17:25.9; 10. Grace Gilbreth, Montana State, 17:33.7.
Women’s Team Scores (5k):
1. Northern Arizona, 15 points; 2. Montana State, 57 points; 3. Weber State, 107 points; 4. Idaho, 109 points; 5. Eastern Washington, 145 points; 6. Sacramento State, 154 points; 7. Northern Colorado, 194 points; 8. Montana, 240 points; 9. Idaho State, 251 points; 10. Portland State, 255 points.
Portland State Runners (out of 79):
41. Jamie Zamrin, 18:50.1; 45. Abi Swain, 18:57.8; 52. Laura Beghin, 19:10.1; 63. Peyten Woodruff, 19:41.1; 70. Taylor Nichols, 20:03.5; 73. Campbell Faust, 20:18.6; 77. Addison Capozzi, 20:34.8; 79. Dyllan Newville, 21:55.9.
Men’s Top Ten Finishers (8k):
1. Nico Young, Northern Arizona, 22:49.8; 2. Aaron Las Heras, Northern Arizona, 23:10.7; 3. Ben Perrin, Montana State, 23:33.0; 4. Kang Nyoak, Northern Arizona, 23:37.7; 5. Corey Gorgas, Northern Arizona, 23:38.9; 6. Matthew Richtman, Montana State, 23:46.1; 7. Peter Visser, Weber State, 23:51.4; 8. Theo Quax, Northern Arizona, 24:02.9; 9. Cael Grotenhuis, Northern Arizona, 24:07.0; 10. Jack Scherer, Northern Arizona, 24:07.6.
Men’s Team Scores (8k):
1. Northern Arizona, 20 points; 2. Montana State, 45 points; 3. Weber State, 79 points; 4. Idaho, 119 points; 5. Eastern Washington, 156 points; 6. Montana, 176 points; 7. Idaho State, 181 points; 8. Northern Colorado, 261 points; 9. Sacramento State, 271 points; 10. Portland State, 300 points.
Portland State Runners (out of 74):
47. Zach Grams, 25:51.9; 66. Abdinajib Abade, 27:40.7; 69. Abdi Ibrahim, 28:21.1; 71. Lyness Ota, 28:30.3; 74. Amir Ahmed, 29:24.3.
