Image courtesy of Nevada Athletics. Nevada men’s and women’s cross country competed in the Mountain West Conference Championship on Nov. 1. Both squads finished in eight place overall.

On Friday, Nov. 1, both the men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the Mountain West Championships in Logan, Utah. Both teams took eighth place with the men’s team finishing in front of Fresno State and the women’s team placing in front of UNLV, San Diego State and Fresno State. 

Both competitions took place at Steve and Dona Reeder Cross Country Park hosted by Utah State. The men’s 8k race was first with Nevada freshman Adam Sjolund placing at No. 56 overall with a time of 25:11—the best individual finish for the Pack.

Following on Sjolund’s heels was freshman Jared Marchegger placing 57 overall with a time of 25:29. Third for Nevada was freshman Massimiliano Swenson, with a time of 26 minutes flat, which placed as No. 59 overall. 

The men’s team finished with a score of 243, which was 33 points ahead of Fresno State and behind San Jose State by 23. The team had a slightly stronger finish than what was expected of them in the Mountain West pre-championship poll which had the team placing last.

After the conclusion of the men’s race, the women’s 6k got underway. Junior Lauryn Massic finished first for Nevada, with a time of 22:01, but placed at No. 50 overall. Massic’s time was only two seconds behind her personal best.

Nevada’s Alexis Melendrez finished closely behind Massic, with a time of 22:10, placing at 53. Rounding out Nevada’s top three, was sophomore Mikayla Shults, who finished No. 55 overall with a time of 22:13.

The women’s team finished the tournament with a score of 249, scoring 49 points ahead of ninth-placed, UNLV. Ahead of the tournament, Nevada was selected to finish in eighth. 

Utah State walked away the champion at the end of the day. The first-place individual winner was Dallin Farnsworth of Utah State. The senior finished with a time of 23:12.

Taking first place in the women’s heat was New Mexico. The Lobos have won the title 12 years in a row. Weini Kelati of New Mexico walked away as the individual champion, posting a time of 19:11.

Jake Reno can be reached at rfreeberg@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @SagebrushSports