The Oredigger Cross Country teams headed to Helena for the Frontier Conference Rumble today hosted by Carroll College at Ten Mile Creek Park. Both teams finished third amongst the five Frontier Conference schools competing this fall as well as competition from Yellowstone Christian.

Senior Becca Richtman led the women's team, winning her second race in a row with a time of 18:28. Also scoring for the Orediggers were freshman Averi Parker, 10th in 19:40; Carlin Manning, 16th in 20:42; Jessa Steele, 20th in 21:11; and Payton Huss, 21st in 21:12.

Carroll won the meet with just 32 points, beating Montana Western's 54, Tech's 67 and Rocky's 85.

"Today was a step up for us in many ways," said Coach Zach Kughn.

"A unique course and pretty intense winds made for a challenging day, but our team positioned themselves well and for most of them it resulted in a significant improvement over where they were two weeks ago." 

The Oredigger men also finished 3rd in the men's race, scoring 65 points, placing ahead of Montana-Western's 82 and MSU-Northern's 86. Rocky Mountain narrowly edged out Carroll 45 to 47.

Freshmen Henry Kakalecik led the team placing 5th with a time of 27:28. Also scoring for the Diggers were freshmen Ian Barville, 10th in 28:24; River Sheppard, 11th in 28:29; Charles Carriker, 19th in 29:16; and Drew Williams, 20th in 29:21.

"The men were great today," said Kughn.

"Our improvement in just two weeks was pretty incredible but it shows the potential this young team has. Henry was right up in the mix and River ran out of his mind. It was fun to watch but I know this team will continue to improve even more over the coming weeks."