POCATELLO, Idaho — The Sacramento State men's and women's cross country teams each placed eighth at the 2024 Big Sky Championships on Friday at Riverside GC. The start of the races were delayed an hour due to frost, but when action got under way, Northern Arizona lived up to its national ranking to easily when both team titles.
 
The Hornet men were led by Ryan Martin who ran 25:41.7 to finish 39^th overall. Martin's time was the 17^th fastest in school history at the meet and he has now led the team in four consecutive meets. Aiden Maddison ranked second among Hornets and was 44^th overall in 25:54.9. The team also counted times from Brandon Moreno (56^th, 26:55.0), Saul Orozco (60^th, 27:10.3) and Cooper Love (61^st, 27:14.5).
 
Northern Arizona's David Mularkey finished first in 23:06.6 and was 7.6 seconds clear of teammate Colin Sahlman who placed second. Overall, NAU had six of the top 10 individuals and totaled 25 points. Montana State was second with 49 while Weber State finished third with 68 points.
 
Ashley Busienei posted the fastest time for the Sacramento State women for the first time in her career. Busienei placed 30^th overall in 18:10.7 which ranks as the 20^th fastest by a Hornet woman at the Big Sky Championships. The next four members of the team all crossed the line within 40 seconds of Busienei. Anna Harmon was 36^th overall in 18:18.9 to rank second on the team. Tia Oliver ran 18:29.0 to finish 46^th while Kate Sanders (18:40.5) was 50^th and Dani Gee (18:49.0) placed 54^th.
 
NAU had the top six finishers and seven of the top eight to cruise to the team title. The Lumberjacks were led by Aliandrea Upshaw who won the race in 16:10.4 and helped the team to 15 total points. Like the men's race, Montana State was second (54 points) and Weber State was third (78).
 
Sacramento State will next compete at the NCAA West Regional on Colfax, Wash., on Nov. 15.
 
2024 Big Sky Cross Country Championships
Pocatello, Idaho | Riverside GC
 
MEN'S RESULTS (8K)
Team Standings
1. Northern Arizona 25
2. Montana State 49
3. Weber State 68
4. Eastern Washington 135
5. Idaho State 143
6. Idaho 159
7. Montana 214
8. Sacramento State 250
9. Portland State 251
10. Northern Colorado 257
 
Individual Top Five
1. David Mullarkey, NAU, 23:06.6
2. Colin Sahlman, NAU, 23:14.2
3. Ben Perrin, MUS, 23:14.9
4. Peter Visser, WSU 23:22.4
5. Santiago Prosser, NAU, 23:29.6
 
Sacramento State Finishers
39. Ryan Martin 25:41.7
44. Aiden Maddison 25:54.9
56. Brandon Moreno 26:55.0
60. Saul Orozco 27:10.3
61. Cooper Love 27:14.5
66. Paden Collard 28:10.1
 
WOMEN'S RESULTS (5K)
Team Standings
1. Northern Arizona 15
2. Montana State 54
3. Weber State 78
4. Idaho State 150
5. Eastern Washington 151
6. Idaho 164
7. Northern Colorado 189
8. Sacramento State 205
9. Portland State 262
10. Montana 270
 
Individual Top Five
1. Aliandrea Upshaw, NAU, 16:10.4
2. Elise Stearns, NAU, 16:27.4
3. Anna Fenske, NAU, 16:46.1
4. Ava Mitchell, NAU, 16:46.3
5. Alexis Kebbe, NAU, 16:53.2
 
Sacramento State Finishers
30. Ashley Busienei 19:10.7
36. Anna Harmon 18:18.9
46. Tia Oliver 18:29.0
50. Kate Sanders 18:40.5
54. Dani Gee 18:49.0
64. Sophia Dudley 19:11.9
65. Viviana Valenton 19:27.5
72. Dakota Gipson 20:05.9