Wolfpack’s Bissen, Thiel win at Mountain West

by Daily Inter Lake
| September 29, 2024 12:00 AM

MISSOULA — There were 52 teams from three states, and it was Glacier runners Owen Thiel and Lauren Bissen that picked up individual wins at the Mountain West Classic at the University of Montana Golf Course Saturday.

"Owen and Lauren both executed their races with patience and grit," Wolfpack cross country coach Cody Moore said. "When we sketched out the season, we circled three big races: Bozeman Invite, Mountain West and State. We'll celebrate these wins and get back to work for Monday."

Thiel came home in 15 minutes, 41.06 seconds to win over Helena’s Elliot Stimpson.

Flathead’s Robbie Nuila finished in 10th, the best of the Braves runners.

Helena nabbed the win in the team competition with 99 points, besting Lewis and Clark from Spokane (107) and Billings West (198). Flathead finished in fifth with 257 points and Glacier in sixth with 276. Browning brought home a 22nd place finish, Columbia Falls in 29th and Bigfork in 46th.

Bissen won the girls race in a season-best time of 18:22.69 seconds — 21 seconds ahead of second place Isabel Ross of Gallatin. Polson’s Morgan Delaney followed in third, less than a second behind Ross.

Flathead’s Josie Wilson came home in sixth place to lead the Bravettes, who finished 10th in the team competition.

Bozeman took the win in the girls team race with 96 points ahead of crosstown rival Gallatin with 130 and Hardin in third with 187 points. Glacier finished the competition in sixth with 276 points, Columbia Falls in 13th with Polson and Browning ending the day in 28th and 29th.

Mountain West Classic

University of Montana Golf Course

BOYS

Individual Top 15 — Owen Thiel, Gla. 15:41.06; 2, Elliot Stimpson, Hel. 15:50.82; 3, Grey Piseno, Billings Cen. 15:53.49; 4, Finn Schretenthaler, Park 15:54.59; 5, Taylor Neil, Boz. 15:55.21; 6, Ben Bird, Hardin 15:56.77; 7, Becks Bird, Shadle Park 15:58.54; 8, Emerson Hamma, CMR 16:00.35; 9, Milo Kauffman, Hel. 16:02.78; 10, Robbie Nuila, Fla. 16:03.66; 11, Logan Anderson, Lake City 16:06.02; 12, Elijah Tobin, L&C 16:06.03; 13, Christian Landers, Boz. 16:06.46; 14, Toby Meier, L&C 16:08.63; 15, Henry Sund, Hel. 16:10.20.

GIRLS

Individual Top 15 — 1, Lauren Bisson, Gla. 18:22.69; 2, Isabel Ross, Gal. 18.43.81; 3, Morgan Delaney, Pol. 18:44.13; 4, Marina Tulloch, Plains 18:45.28; 5, Lyla Marney, Big Horn 18:49.01; 6, Josie Wilson Fla. 18:49.78; 7, Karis Brightwings-Pease, Hardin 18:53.42; 8, Claire Rutherford, Gal. 18:58.50; 9, Kylee Neil, Boz. 19:08.76; 10, Zoey Real Bird, Hardin 19:13.35; 11, Tula Higman, Boz. 19:13.50; 12, Erin McMahon, Gonzaga Prep 19:13.62; 13, Myrte Hofman, North Creek 19:14.50; 14, Aleigha Child, Hamilton 19:17.31; 15, Gia Petrini, Hellgate 19:17.62.