LOGAN, Utah — Idaho State's men's and women's cross country teams each placed third Saturday, Sept. 5, at the USU Alumni Challenge, run at the Steve & Donna Reeder Cross Country Course.
The Bengal women totaled 85 points in the 5-kilometer race, finishing behind host Utah State (15) and Weber State (47). On the men's side, Idaho State scored 91 points over 7 kilometers to finish ahead of the Utah State Alumni squad (110), trailing Utah State (25) and Weber State (30).
Seniors Allie Lemons and Alivia Johnson paced the women, running within three seconds of each other. Lemons crossed first for Idaho State in 26th place with a time of 19:35.4, and Johnson followed in 27th at 19:38.3. Senior Natalya Babcock was the third Bengal finisher, placing 31st in 20:02.1.
Sophomore Elise Wright (35th, 20:16.9) and junior Ava Berg (39th, 20:30.2) rounded out Idaho State's scoring five, while juniors Kaitlyn Blackham (40th, 20:51.8) and Raegan Borg (41st, 21:05.7) also competed.
Junior Jackson Koontz led the men, finishing 24th in 22:18.4. Idaho State ran as a tight pack behind him, with its first four finishers separated by 24.4 seconds. Junior Brent Clark was 27th in 22:30.3, freshman Champ Ransom took 29th in 22:38.3, and senior Sam Jeppsen was 30th in 22:42.8.
Senior George Karamitsos (38th, 23:38.1) was Idaho State's fifth scorer, followed closely by junior Tayvien Biancuzzo (39th, 23:39.7) and senior Jacob Van Orden (40th, 24:00.4).
Utah State's Natalie Swain won the women's individual title in 17:59.5, and the Aggies' Jed Megargel took the men's race in 20:47.9.
