USU’s Kyle McKenna takes third at the Aggie Invitational Cross Country
Senior Kyle McKenna finished third overall in the Aggie Invitational in the first race at USU’s newly-constructed home course at the The Innovation Campus Wellness Park on Saturday morning.
“From what I was a watching I think we’re where we want to be,” said Utah State head coach Gregg Gensel. “Some of the kids did what they were asked to do over the summer and some have a little work to do, but we’re going in the right direction.”
On the men’s side, John Coyle from Weber State finished first overall with a timing of 18:53.50 seconds in the four-mile course. McKenna crossed the line just seconds after in 18:56.17.
“To get third, I feel really good about that. I think I ran a hard race and I feel like I put a lot out there, but I also have a lot of room to improve,” McKenna said. “I felt good, I think our team did pretty well overall.”
BYU won with 30 points, followed by Weber State with 65, Utah Valley in third with 86 and USU in fourth with 96.
On the women’s side, Amber Henry from Weber State finished first overall with a time of 18:00.70 for the 5-kilometer race. USU’s Alex Litzsinger took fifth place in 18:10.38.
“I really liked the new course. We didn’t get to run on it for the first time until yesterday afternoon at practice, and we are surprised by how even it is,” said Litzsinger, after her debut on the newly constructed course.
Litzsinger said she is really happy about getting fifth overall despite her last year’s pelvic injury.
“Working hard and practice has paid off,” Litzsinger said. “As soon as one girl drops back, it is that much easier for the other girls to drop back, but we kind of have a policy of you encourage your teammate every time you see them, if you’re passing them.”
Weber State won with 24 points, followed by Utah Valley with 76, Utah State in third with 81 and Utah in fourth with 89.
Next year, the times to beat will be both Coyle’s and Henry’s, respectively, as they hold records on the brand new course with their victories.
The Aggies will next travel to Bozeman, Mont. on Sept. 15 for the Montana State Open.
– cesarabbott@aggiemail.usu.edu