Michigan State Cross Country Gets Strong Performances at Madison Pre-Nationals

MADISON, Wis. – In the Spartans final big tune up before postseason begins, Michigan State men’s and women’s cross country had some impressive performances at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals at Thomas Zimmer Championship Course in Madison, Wisconsin.

The 2024 NCAA Championships will be held at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course on Nov. 23

Some of the top teams in the nation competed Madison on Saturday with 19 of the top-30 men’s teams in the country according to the USTFCCCA Coaches Poll competing in the prestigious event, including seven from the top 10.  On the women’s side, 19 ranked teams were involved in the race, including five from the Big Ten. The Spartan women are currently No. 30 in the latest poll, while the men are receiving votes.

In the women’s “A”  6k race, BYU finished first with 105 points, while new Big Ten member Washington was second with 157 points. Michigan State finished 17th overall with 490 points.

The Spartans were led by junior Kaitlyn Hynes who finished 48th with a time of 20:12.8. She topped her personal best time of 20:29.4 set at the Great Lakes Region Championships in 2021.Freshman Rachel Forsyth was the second point scorer for MSU, finishing 53rd (20:16.0). This was her first collegiate 6k race. Taylor Ewert (20:39.5), Sophia Lucki (20:47.4) and Olivia Millen (21:07.3) rounded out the women’s scorers. Lucki bested her best time (21:36.2) set at the Spartan Invitational on Sept. 13.Millen set a significant PR with her previous best of 21:35.7 coming at the 2022 Big Ten Championships

In the men’s “A” 8k race, Arkansas won with 89 points with Iowa State finishing second with 128 points. Michigan State was 18th with 478 points.

Senior Andrew Nolan was the top Spartan finisher (76th) crossing the line in 23:43.1. Riley Hough was the next MSU scorer (83rd) with a time of 23:44.3. Lezawe Osterink (23:52.0), Jack Pennewell (23:59.1) and Andrew Lane (24:01.0) were the remaining scorers for Michigan State.

Selected Spartans ran in the women’s 6k “Open” race with Katelyn Stewart-Barnett finishing ninth with a time of 21:15.8. Madison Price ran unattached for the Spartans and was 16th (21:27.9).

Michigan State will conclude the regular season at the Eastern Michigan Classic on Oct. 25.

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