Helena, Mont. - The Montana Western women's cross country started the season on the right foot with a win at the Carroll Early Bird Open. 

Junior Eireann O'Connor paced the Bulldogs in the 5k finishing fifth overall in 19:50, She was the first NAIA runner to finish. Freshman Shelby Walls impressed in her debut performance with a time of 20:56 to finish seventh in the scoring. Marley May finished eighth in the scoring just a fraction for a second behind Walls. Emma Adams was right behind with a time of 21:06. Freshman Mason Baseley rounded out the scoring five for the Bulldogs with a time of 21.33 to finish eleventh in the scoring. The Bulldogs beat out the host Carroll by a single point 35-36 to claim the victory. 

In the men's 8k race, The Bulldogs only fielded four runners, and were led by senior Josh Jessop's tenth overall place finish, Jessop finished behind runners from Montana State and a handful of unattached athletes. Sophomore Matt Wilson finished 18th overall in a time of 28:37.  Freshman Luke Lutz made his collegiate debut with a time of 28:50 in finish in 19th place. 

"I thought today was a solid opener," head coach Dylan Zitzer said. "I think we showed the potential of this group. We look forward to next week seeing the conference course."

The Bulldogs will travel to Billings, Mont. next Friday, Sept. 13 to run the Frontier Conference Preview Meet at Amend Park.