Helena, Mont. - The Montana Western women's cross country team won the Carroll College Early Bird Open on Friday, while the men finished in third. 

The fifteenth ranked team in nation started the season on the right foot, opening the 2018 season with a team victory. The Bulldogs had four runners finish in the top ten led by senior Mindy Kaufman who set the pace for the Bulldogs finishing second over all with a time of 15:19.26 in the 4k race. Eireann O'Connor (16:18.23), Gabi Gomez (16:20.41) and Emma Adams (16:37.45) all finished in the top ten with Megan Tarmichael (19:24.18) rounding out the scoring five for the Bulldogs. 

In the men's race the Bulldogs were led by freshman Jonathan Harrison who finished his first collegiate race in fifth place with a time of 20:19.52. Seniors Russell Kujala (20:31.23) and Tanner Lehr (20:40.09), along with freshman Matt Wilson (21:00.19) and Jack Dolan (21:08.70) rounded out the scoring five for Montana Western.  

"Overall I'm very pleased with how we ran today," head coach Dylan Zitzer said. " It was hot and humid but we ran good, it was a good way to start the season." 

The Bulldogs will have a week off before heading to Great Falls, Mont. on Sept. 21 to take part in the University of Providence Open.