Oklahoma State University Athletics
Lindquist Named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year
June 21, 1999 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
November 9, 1998
STILLWATER, Okla. - An Oklahoma State freshman cross country runner has been named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.
Alexandra Lindquist, a native of Norrtajle, Sweden, received the honors only days after placing fifth in the Big 12 Championships in Lincoln, Neb., on Oct. 31. Lindquist finished the 5,000-meter race with a time of 17:42.8.
"The best moment for me since I've been here was placing fifth at the Big 12 meet," Lindquist said. "I had been running in the 50s in all of our other meets. This time, I just ran harder."
Lindquist was recruited by Cowgirl Head Coach Catrina Acosta after a former OSU runner, Jenny Framme, recommended her.
"Jenny and Alex knew each other because they are both from Sweden," Acosta said. "I didn't watch Alex run before I recruited her. I just trusted Jenny's judgment."
Acosta said she spoke with Lindquist's Swedish coach before giving the economics major a scholarship to run for Oklahoma State.
"Her former coach told me Alex had infinitely more talent than what she was showing in Sweden. We both thought she needed better competition and new surroundings to help her rise to the top. I think Alex has surprised herself since she's been here," Acosta said.
Lindquist said she was intimidated when first arriving in the United States to run cross country and attend school.
"I expected to go through much harder training to run than we actually did. Training was that scary, though. But, moving to a new country was," Lindquist said.
Lindquist competed in the Swedish National Championships in 1995, when she was just 16 years old. She won the 800 m in track.
"I really like running track. Cross country was so boring in Sweden. But, I like it here because it's fun to be on a team," Lindquist said.
Acosta said Lindquist gains more understanding of running with each race she runs.
"When she first started running, she said 'I can't' a lot more than I wanted her to. Now, she never says 'I can', but she says 'I can't' a lot less. She now understands that her best is better than it could be," Acosta said.
Lindquist said she originally intended to come to Oklahoma for only one year. But, since she has been her, she is considering staying a full four years.
"I will go back to Sweden this summer, though. Our seasons are different over there. We will be just starting track season in the summer, and I want to participate," Lindquist said.
Acosta said she feels Lindquist has come a long way since she came to Oklahoma in August.
"Since she really is a track runner, I think she was scared of the distance in the beginning. Her performance has really been a wonderful surprise," Acosta said.
Lindquist says she was scared of lots of things in the beginning.
"It has all surprised me, especially getting this award," Lindquist said.
1998 Lindquist Statistics: 9/5 Wichita State Gold Classic: 12 (19:28.1/5,000 m) 9/19 Nebraska Invitational: 24 (19:21.20/5,000 m) 10/3 Cowboy Jamboree: 23 (19:11/5,000 m) 10/12 Bob Timmons Invitational: 51 (18:31.06/5,000 m) 10/31 Big 12 Championships: fifth (17:42.8/5,000 m)
