Friday, September 17
East Lansing, Mich.
11 a.m.
Michigan State University
vs
Spartan Invitational
Magness and Beadlescomb Earn Top Marks at the Spartan Invitational
9/17/2021 4:31:00 PM | Cross Country
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After a year hiatus, the 40th annual Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational sponsored by Playmakers returned to Forest Akers East Gold Course on Friday. In the Spartans only cross country home event of the season, seniors Jenna Magness and Morgan Beadlescomb captured the individual titles on the women's and men's sides, respectively.
The women's team captured first place with 36 points in the 6K race led by Magness, who clocked in with a time of 21:05.4. Grand Valley State was second with 73 points, while Toledo finished third with 76 points.
"It was a great start for both of our teams. We haven't done a lot of meaningful work yet, and that stuff is going to come. I think that the athletes that showed up and decided to have a tough mentality - its a warm day - and gave them selves a chance by prepping did really well. It's just a great opportunity to learn," Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Lisa Breznau said.
Overall, Michigan State held three of the top 10 spots with senior Lynsie Gram finishing third with a time of 21:24.4 in her first race of the season. Senior Casey Mossholder was the final MSU woman in the top 10, crossing the line in 22:14.2. Freshman Kaitlyn Hynes ran unattached and finished fifth with a time of 21:35.9.
Freshman Emily Bardwell had a solid showing in her first Spartan Invitational finishing 11th (22:18.2), while sophomore Melanie Helder registered a big PR to finish 14th (22:20.6).
In the men's 8K race, the Spartans finished second with 51 points, behind Grand Valley State's 35 points. Beadlescomb took his second-straight Spartan Invitational title with a time of 24:15.8. Sophomore Abdi Ahmed was the second Spartan to finish and was fifth overall, crossing the line in 24:43.4. Junior Steven Stine was 10th (25:20.5), while junior John Petruno was 17th (25:35.9).
"It means everything to be back at the Spartan Invite. It speaks to the Spartan mentality of doing your job and looking to help people. There are so many departments that helped us today from the athletic department in general. We are so thankful," Breznau added.
Michigan State will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 24 at the Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The women's team captured first place with 36 points in the 6K race led by Magness, who clocked in with a time of 21:05.4. Grand Valley State was second with 73 points, while Toledo finished third with 76 points.
"It was a great start for both of our teams. We haven't done a lot of meaningful work yet, and that stuff is going to come. I think that the athletes that showed up and decided to have a tough mentality - its a warm day - and gave them selves a chance by prepping did really well. It's just a great opportunity to learn," Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Lisa Breznau said.
Overall, Michigan State held three of the top 10 spots with senior Lynsie Gram finishing third with a time of 21:24.4 in her first race of the season. Senior Casey Mossholder was the final MSU woman in the top 10, crossing the line in 22:14.2. Freshman Kaitlyn Hynes ran unattached and finished fifth with a time of 21:35.9.
Freshman Emily Bardwell had a solid showing in her first Spartan Invitational finishing 11th (22:18.2), while sophomore Melanie Helder registered a big PR to finish 14th (22:20.6).
In the men's 8K race, the Spartans finished second with 51 points, behind Grand Valley State's 35 points. Beadlescomb took his second-straight Spartan Invitational title with a time of 24:15.8. Sophomore Abdi Ahmed was the second Spartan to finish and was fifth overall, crossing the line in 24:43.4. Junior Steven Stine was 10th (25:20.5), while junior John Petruno was 17th (25:35.9).
"It means everything to be back at the Spartan Invite. It speaks to the Spartan mentality of doing your job and looking to help people. There are so many departments that helped us today from the athletic department in general. We are so thankful," Breznau added.
Michigan State will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 24 at the Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Players Mentioned
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