Junior Robert Peterson crossed the finish line in first place at MSUB's first event of the season. Peterson helped the team to an early season win at the meet in Helena, Mont.
 
PORTLAND, Ore. - Robert Peterson (Jr., Billings, MT – Skyview) was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's cross country Runner of the Week as announced Monday by the conference office.
 
Peterson won the men's 6,000 meter event at the Carroll College Early Bird Invite in a time of 18:52.07. He was the lone runner to cross the finish line in under 19 minutes. MSU Billings swept the first three places. Senior Michael Luhr crossed the finish line in second place, with sophomore Jamon Rodrigues close behind to finish in third. 
 
"Robert really deserved to have a good race at Carroll," head coach Dave Coppock said. "He worked very hard all summer, covering around 80 miles per week. And he's carried that training into the season, as well."
 
MSU Billings won the event, finishing first with 26 points, 25 ahead of the host Saints.
 
The Yellowjackets next event is Sept. 20 in Bozeman, Mont. at the Montana State Invitational. The men's race will begin at 9 a.m.
 
"We don't want to back off our training for these early season meets with the long season ahead of us; late November is what we're really focusing on," Coppock commented on the team's training. "That meet was a great start for Robert as well as the rest of the team and we just hope to keep building on that."