2018 MSU Spartan Cross Country Invitational

Forest Acres East Golf Course at MSU on Friday was swarming with college, high school and middle school runners from across the Midwest and their fans. Over 6,000 runners from more than 200 teams absorbed heat from the hot sun to compete on what Portland's Men's Coach Andy Pulling declared was, "A Massive, Beautiful Course". He said the college races as well as the elite high school races "gives our kids exposure to a variety of runners at all levels of Cross-Country". Women's Coach Mark Holdren echoed those comments and added "That in Cross-Country one of the best experiences is to run on a golf course". The Forest Acres Course was it tip-top condition with lush grass and beautiful landscaping for runners to enjoy.

The Portland Men's and Women's teams ran hard and all runners finished. However, due to the large volume of highly competitive and experienced runners none of Portland's runners, who are with a few exceptions all underclassmen, were able to earn medals by placing at the top of their races. Nonetheless, it was a great team building experience and all of the Raider runners gave it their best.

The Portland Cross Country teams will next compete on Tuesday, September 18th at the Capitol Area Athletic Conference White Jamboree at Ionia.