MSU Cross Country Teams Finish In Top 20 At Notre Dame Invite

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - As action concluded at the 57th Annual Notre Dame Invite, Mississippi State men's and women's cross country teams came away with 20th- and 15th-place finishes, respectively.

Facing some of the toughest competition this season, the Bulldogs raced against a total of 10 nationally ranked teams, including the No. 10 and No. 2 Florida State men and women.

"Notre Dame is notorious for having fierce competition," Renee Masterson said. "I am so proud of our girls for fighting through the second mile and finishing with passion. We have made impressive advances in our training."

Masterson (33rd, 17:18) led the way in the 5K for the Lady Bulldogs, finishing in the top fourth of all female runners. Following Masterson were Katie Huston (73rd, 17:41) and Chloe Phillips (74th, 17:43). The women totaled 366 points to earn 15th place, ahead of SEC foe Alabama.

"If there's one thing we learned from this meet, it's that mental toughness will get you through a race when your legs start to lock up," Masterson said. "We are learning how to say ‘yes' when our legs say ‘no.' We are preparing for the SEC Championships with a ‘yes' mentality."

The men finished 20th, accumulating 587 points with John Valentine (72nd, 24.42) leading the pack. Philip Johnson (131st, 25:32) and Curtis Kelly (140th, 25:37) also help lead the way for MSU in the 8K.

After the squads return from Indiana, they will continue their campaign on Oct. 13 at the Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa.

Women's 5K

Winner: Colleen Quigley, Florida State, 16:29
MSU: 33. Renee Masterson, 17:18; 73. Katie Huston, 17:41, 74. Chloe Phillips, 17:43; 95. Cornelia Griesche, 17:59; 97. Jodie McGuff, 18:00; 123. Emma Neigel, 18:27; 128. Adrianna Poole, 18:40.
Team Results: 1. Florida State, 2. Notre Dame, 3. New Mexico, 4. North Carolina State, 5. Illinois, 6. Northwestern, 7. UNC Chapel Hill, 8. Princeton, 9. Southern Methodist, 10. Arizona State, 11. Ohio State, 12. Tulsa, 13. Texas A&M, 14. Ohio University, 15. Mississippi State, 16. Alabama, 17. Liberty University, 18. Washington State

Men's 8K

Winner: Chris O'Hare, Tulsa, 23:33
MSU: 72. John Valentine, 24:42; 131. Philip Johnson, 25:32; 140. Curtis Kelly, 25:37; 146. Cameron Vernier, 25:56; 147. Andrew Monaghan, 26:02; 154. Matt Weickert, 26:24; 156. Jacob Fuller, 26:36; 163. Patrick Monaghan, 27:58.
Team Results: 1. Tulsa, 2. Princeton, 3. Notre Dame, 4, Florida State, 5. Eastern Kentucky, 6. New Mexico, 7. Texas A&M, 8. Washington State, 9. McNeese State, 10. North Carolina State, 11. UNC Chapel Hill, 12. Eastern Michigan, 13. Ohio State, 14. Illinois, 15. Indiana State, 16. Butler, 17. United States Navel Academy, 18. Liberty University, 19. Michigan, 20. Mississippi State