SWOSU Tunes Up For LSC Meet

October 16, 2006

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University had its final cross country race before participating in the annual Lone Star Conference Championships later this week. The Bulldogs, under the direction of first-year coach Josh Musick, were one of 44 teams that were mixed of NCAA Division I, Division II and NAIA runners who competed at the University of Arkansas Chili Pepper Festival. The 6,000 meter race was held Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

SWOSU finished 35th as a team and ahead of fellow LSC schools East Central in 38th, Eastern New Mexico in 39th, Midwestern State in 40th and Southeastern Oklahoma in 43rd. Only nationally-ranked Abilene Christian finished ahead of SWSOU. The Wildcats came in 25th.

The University of Arkansas, the nation’s fourth-ranked team, won the meet easily by having runners finish fourth, sixth, seventh, 11th and 13th. Texas Tech’s Sally Kipyego, a native of Kenya, was the first place finisher out of 347 runners. Her time was a world-class clocking of 19:29 over the 6,000 meter course.

Rachel Ingram was again the top finisher for the Bulldogs placing 59th with a time of 21:53. She trimmed 20 seconds and bettered her position by three spots from the same race a year ago.

Stefanie Jones was the next SWOSU finisher in 164th with a time of 23:12. She was followed by Kate Hollenshead in 280th with a time of 25:24, Afton Hoover in 306th at 26:41, Emily Haskins in 320th at 27:29 and Sarah Jrab in 338th with a time of 29:49.

The Bulldogs will next run Saturday at the LSC Conference meet at Tarleton State University.