(VCSU) Valley City State’s cross country teams opened the 2020 season Saturday morning at the Herb Blakely Invitational hosted by Dakota State University.
Valley City State’s women placed third and the Viking men took fifth in the season opener. The Vikings had six Top 20 finishes, including two Top 8 finishes on the women’s side. Of VCSU’s 13 runners on Saturday, nine of them were running their first collegiate cross country race.
“Overall, there were a lot of good signs that came out of the meet today,” said VCSU coach Glen Ellingson. “We have a young team that is still developing, but looking at the results last year at this time we were significantly better today. Laquone Robinson (VCSU head coach) and I are excited to see what we can do over the next month to progress and get prepared for the conference championships in November.”
VCSU freshman Jasmine Barnes placed fourth in her collegiate debut, finishing the women’s 5K in a time of 21:03. She was one of two Viking women to place in the Top 10, pacing VCSU to a third place finish as a team. Junior Angeline Gannon ran the season opener in 21:35 as she placed eighth in the women’s race. Avery Vasicek (17th, 22:54), Ashanti Guertin (21st, 24:31) and Hope Ishizaka (23rd, 24:31) rounded out VCSU’s Top 5 in the women’s race.
Dickinson State won the women’s race with a team score of 29. Dakota State (50) was second, followed by VCSU (62) and Mount Marty College (79).
In the men’s 8K race, Valley City State placed fifth with a team score of 89. Freshman Mason Wendt led the Viking men with an 11th place finish, crossing the line in a time of 28:37. Govani Garza and Bryce Nelson also finished in the Top 20 of the 44-person men’s race. Garza was 18th in 29:34, and Nelson placed 20th with a time of 29:38. Jayden Wheeling (23rd, 29:55) and Brady Femling (24th, 30:00) rounded out VCSU’s team score.
“Newcomers Jasmine Barnes and Mason Wendt especially showed that they are ready to compete successfully at a collegiate level,” said Ellingson. “Keep your eyes out for them in November.”
Up next: Valley City State has next weekend off before competing at the Dickinson State Invitational on Monday, Sept. 28.
Herb Blakely Invitational
Dakota State University – Madison, S.D.
Women’s Results – 5K Race
1. Dickinson State, 29; 2. Dakota State, 50; 3. Valley City State, 62; 4. Mount Marty, 79
VCSU Women’s Results
4. Jasmine Barnes, 21:03
8. Angeline Gannon, 21:35
17. Avery Vasicek, 22:54
21. Ashanti Guertin, 24:03
23. Hope Ishizaka, 24:31
25. Kyley Lauf, 24:38
Men’s Results – 8K Race
1. Dakota State, 39; 2. Bellevue, 59; 3. Dickinson State, 79; 4. Mount Marty, 82; 5. Valley City State, 89
VCSU Men’s Results
11. Mason Wendt, 28:37
18. Govani Garza, 29:34
20. Bryce Nelson, 29:38
23. Jayden Wheeling, 29:55
24. Brady Femling, 30:00
31. Arik Christianson, 30:59
37. Keaton Goldade, 34:48
