(Orem, Utah - Sept. 1, 2023) - The Utah Tech cross country teams opened the 2023 season on Friday with a pair of sixth place finishes at the Utah Valley Invitational at Scera Park.

The women's 5K race was headlined by senior Shakayla Morgan who clocked a time of 18:12.8 for a 23rd place finish. Freshman Averie Perriton made her Trailblazer debut with a time of 18:48.4 to place 39th followed by junior Mariah Skinner (40th) and freshmen Alyssa Laspada (41st) and Addie Payne (43rd).

Utah Valley led the women's team race with a score of 18 points followed by Utah (54 pts.), Weber State (87 pts.), Salt Lake CC (111 pts.), Southern Utah (126 pts.), Utah Tech (142 pts.) & Idaho State (212 pts.).

The Trailblazer men posted solid times as well led by freshman Kyle Neuenschwander with a time of 15:10.4 for a team-best 27th place finish. Fellow freshman Ryan Newton was Utah Tech's second finisher with a time of 15:21.4 to check in 38th overall.

Rounding out the finishers for the Blazers were senior Quinton Read (42nd), junior Julien Canales (52nd) and a trio of freshmen in Dawson Leffler (62nd), Aiden Hardy (69th) and Stoney Cutchen (71st).

Weber State led the scoring on the men's side with 38 points followed by Utah Valley (44 pts.), Salt Lake CC (81 pts.), Southern Utah (112 pts.), Fezzari Track Club (146 pts.), Utah Tech (164 pts.) & Idaho State (190 pts.). 

The Trailblazers return to action at the UC Riverside Invitational on Sept. 16.

Women's 5K Results
23. Shakayla Morgan - 18:12.8
39. Averie Perriton - 18:48.4
40. Mariah Skinner - 18:50.2
41. Alyssa Laspada - 18:51.2
43. Addie Payne - 18:55.2
52. Lexi Larsen - 19:13.2
57. Charly Murie - 19:21.2

Men's 5K Results
27. Kyle Neuenschwander - 15:10.4
38. Ryan Newton - 15:21.4
42. Quinton Read - 15:22.2
52. Julien Canales - 15:34.4
62. Dawson Leffler - 15:45.0
69. Aiden Hardy - 16:02.1
71. Stoney Cutchen - 16:10.5