SPOKANE, Wash. -- While 20 members of the GFU cross country team traveled to Minnesota for pre-nationals, 32 Bruins went to Whitworth for the Frank Clark Classic against a variety of division-level competitors, with six Bruins running personal bests. The women finished eighth, 241, while the men 14th, 375.

Top Performances
Ruby Snider was first on the boards for Fox, running 23:08.3, to earn her 49th place. Marcella Leita was right on her back with 23:13.5 in 53rd place. 

Freshman Renee Paulson ran a personal best of 23:20.8, putting her in 60th. Ellie Colquhoun was tracking right behind, in 61st with 23:21.7.

Lola Woodburn posted a time of 23:36.8 (66th). Grace Brownlee found her own personal best as well, 23:48.7, sliding in 72nd. Aubree Carr wasn't far behind in 74th, 25:50.1. 

The freshmen were ready to race as well on the men's side. Asher Stewart was the first Bruin to finish with a personal best of 26:27.4, 92nd place. Tyler Walton was neck-and-neck, coming in 93rd, also running a personal best, 26:29.1. 

Marco Sanchez continued the personal best streak, earning one of his own, 26:31.0 (96th). Ian Lage came in right in 100th, 26:35.8. AJ Aker kept it going, a personal best of 26:41.7 (104th). 

Trace Hoskins came in 112th, with 26:48.2, and Luke Trefry in 119th, 27:01.1. 

Even without their top runners, the Bruins still found themselves ahead of several of their conference foes in the standings. The women found themselves in the top 10, in eighth with a score of 241. D-1 Montana State took the crown, with 15 points; Claire Rutherford individually took first, 20:50.2. The men finished overall with 375 points, in 14th place. Montana State slotted for first again, 20 points; personally, Sam Ellis ran 23:42.8 for first. 

What Happens Next
The Bruins will have one last competition before the NWC Championships at the George Oja Invitational in Salem on Saturday, October 17th; the women are set to run at 10 a.m., and the men at 10:45 a.m.