Cougars meet up with nationally-ranked distance programs at Joe Piane Invitational

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Washington State men’s and women’s cross country teams continued its their fall seasons on the road Friday, finishing ninth (19-22-37-63-102, 243 pts) and 10th (12-19-70-79-84, 264 pts), respectively, at the Joe Piane Invitational.

Neema Kimtai (16:57.0, 19^th) and Caroline Jerotich (17:03.1, 22^nd) led the way for the Cougar women while Cristina Molteni followed closely behind at 17:23.4 to place 37^th overall.

Off of the second gun of the morning from the University of Notre Dame’s Burke Golf Course, Brian Barsaiya (23:44.6, 12^th) and Kelvin Limo (23:55.9, 19^th) ran with the front of the men’s blue 5-mile field to lead the WSU men.  Barsaiya finished just 36.3 seconds off of the lead pace while Limo spent the majority of the race in the top-15 of the men’s field.

The women’s first-year group of Nicole Bissell (17:50.0), Bela Alvarado (18:48.3), Jaylyn Lehner (19:10.5), and Hanna Bailey (19:53.8) each gained valuable early-season experience in their first fall of collegiate cross country. Bissell led the way among the Cougar freshman, moving up three spots during her race and finishing with a 3:34.5 split and 64^th-overall finish in the women’s 5k.

Up Next:

Back in the Pacific Northwest, Washington State will be sending a group of 10 student-athletes to compete tomorrow at the Whitman College Open from Veterans Memorial Golf Course in Walla Walla, Wash.  The Whitman Open will begin Saturday with the men’s 8k at 10:45 a.m., followed by the women’s 6k at 11:30 a.m.

Washington State will take another one-week break from competition as it continues to train towards longer postseason races.  The Cougars will get a first look at the 2023 NCAA Championships location on Oct. 14, at the NCAA Pre-Nationals from Panorama Farms in Charlottesville, Va.  WSU will also send runners to the LC State Invitational on Oct. 14, in Lewiston, Idaho.

For all the latest WSU Cross Country news, photos, and videos, like the team on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/wsucougartrack) or follow on Twitter (@ WSUCougarXCTF) and Instagram (@WSUCougarXCTF).

 

WSU Results:
Women’s Blue 5,000m |  WSU: 19-22-37-63-102 (243 pts, 9^th overall)