Husker Men Win Woody Greeno/Nebraska Invitational

The Nebraska cross country teams, along with Nebraska Wesleyan, hosted the 26th annual Woody Greeno/Nebraska Invitational Saturday morning at Pioneers Park in Lincoln.

The Huskers performed well on a soggy course with the men's team winning the 8K team title, led by six top-20 finishes. The Husker women placed third overall in the 6K race. 

Wyatt McGuire, Jacob Olson, Peter Spinks and Austin Post finished fourth through seventh overall to lead the NU men to their 13th title in the meet's history. The women were led by Bonnie Smith's fifth-place overall finish.

“I was very pleased with the men’s team and I’m pleased with their training," Head Coach David Harris said. "I know that we’re working hard and it’s going to pay off."

The Husker men totaled 16 points to easily beat out Air Force (46) and Northern Iowa (102).

McGuire, a redshirt freshman from North Platte, ran 25:35.5 to finish fourth overall and second in the University Division. He led the pack of four Huskers that lifted the Big Red to victory. Olson was two seconds behind at 25:37.7, Spinks was at 25:38.3 and Post at 25:40.0. Nolan Border was 12th in 25:54.0, and Matt Gilbert was 16th in 26:00.9.

“We had a great pack up front just like we wanted," Olson said. "I think we’re a really strong group."

Spinks agreed with Olson's assessment. "I went out a little too quick but I tried to hang on toward the end," Spinks said. "But overall we did really well as a team."

For the women, Smith's time of 22:29.3 was by far the top Husker time and earned her fifth overall. Haley Harsin was 13th overall in 23:02.8, and Megan Lush was 22nd in 23:18.2. The Huskers finished with 70 team points. Creighton (36) and Northern Colorado (59) were first and second. 

“They’re just so young, but they’re improving individually," Harris said of the women's team. "The ones that were freshmen last year and sophomores this year improved their marks from last year’s race. I think good things are coming, but we’ve got a ways to go. I just think that the attitude and the desire is there with this group, and that is going to pay off big."

The Huskers are back in action at the Kansas Invitational on Oct. 3.