Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Lori Fitzgerald Invitational
Cowgirls Take Second At Lori Fitzgerald Memorial Invitational
September 03, 1999 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Sept. 3, 1999
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State's women's cross country team placed second tonight at its first meet of the 1999 season, the Lori Fitzgerald Memorial Invitational, hosted by the University of Texas at El Paso at the Santa Teresa Country Club in Santa Teresa, N.M.
"This was a great meet," said Cowgirl Coach Catrina Acosta. "It is hot here at 4000 ft. The girls felt good in the beginning, but you could tell that they felt the heat in the last part of the race. Hanna said this race was harder than the daily workouts we've been doing."
Junior Hanna Smedstad was the first runner across the finish line, winning the race with a time of 17:05 on the 2.8 mile circuit.
"Hanna was in total control out there tonight. She did exactly what I expected her to do," Acosta said.
Newcomer to the team, Junior Sara Wells, was the second runner across the line for the Cowgirls, placing sixth in the meet with a time of 18:43. Another newcomer, Junior Araceli Davilia, placed eighth with a time of 18:55.
"Sara really surprised me tonight. She did really well. Araceli has been sick all week, but she wanted to compete and get this first meet for the season out of the way. She did what she had to do to get through it. She did a good job," Acosta said.
Freshman Shavon Young was the Cowgirls' fourth runner across the line, placing 18th with a time of 20:32. Senior Karla Dennis, the Cowgirls' fifth runner, had a 20:45 time and placed 19th.
"Shavon and Karla came out here tonight and beat lots of people. That's what we wanted them to do. I pretty much knew what to expect from Hanna, Sara and Araceli, but not the other two. I was pleasantly surprised.
"Now the team is feeling good. This meet gave them more confidence, which is something they needed," Acosta said.
Team Scores:
1. New Mexico State 42 2. Oklahoma State 52 3. New Mexico 57 4. UTEP 59
Individual Scores:
1. Hanna Smedstad 17:05 6. Sara Wells 18:43 8. Araceli Davila 18:55 18. Shavon Young 20:32 19. Karla Dennis 20:45 22. Vera Waller 21:16
