Photo by: Pershelle Rohrer
Sam Ells Named Big Sky Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week
9/22/2026 10:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Ells earned second-straight meet victory at Friday night’s Montana Invite
FARMINGTON, Utah --- Montana State fifth-year Sam Ells earned his first Big Sky Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week honor following a winning performance at the Montana Invite on Friday.
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Ells became the second Bobcat to earn a Big Sky weekly honor this season after Claire Rutherford was named Big Sky Co-Women's Athlete of the Week following her 23-second victory at the MSU Bobcat Twilight. The duo are the first men's and women's cross country athletes to earn Big Sky Athlete of the Week honors for Montana State since 2024.
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Ells earned his second-straight race win to open the season with his victory at the Montana Invite at the University of Montana Golf Course on Friday night. The fifth-year clocked a time of 24:16.1 on the hilly course to win the men's 8k by 4.8 seconds. He led the Bobcats to their second team title of the season, with Montana State tallying an impressive 19 points at the meet.
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The Bobcats will return to action at the Frank Knott Classic in Spokane Valley, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 3.
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Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State cross country program, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsTFXC. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
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Ells became the second Bobcat to earn a Big Sky weekly honor this season after Claire Rutherford was named Big Sky Co-Women's Athlete of the Week following her 23-second victory at the MSU Bobcat Twilight. The duo are the first men's and women's cross country athletes to earn Big Sky Athlete of the Week honors for Montana State since 2024.
Â
Ells earned his second-straight race win to open the season with his victory at the Montana Invite at the University of Montana Golf Course on Friday night. The fifth-year clocked a time of 24:16.1 on the hilly course to win the men's 8k by 4.8 seconds. He led the Bobcats to their second team title of the season, with Montana State tallying an impressive 19 points at the meet.
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The Bobcats will return to action at the Frank Knott Classic in Spokane Valley, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Â
Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State cross country program, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsTFXC. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
Sunday, October 31
Friday, October 27
Wednesday, November 13
Wednesday, October 23
