Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Harriers are Running With the Best
November 15, 2001 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
Nov. 15, 2001
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State's women's cross country team will be making its fourth appearance in the NCAA Championships on Monday, Nov. 19 in Greenville, S.C.
Siri Alfheim has been the Cowgirls leader this year. The senior from Kopervik, Norway won the individual regional championship and helped her team to the title at the Midwest Regional on Nov. 10.
"Alfheim will definitely be tough to replace. She has been a tough runner for us this year and provided a lot of leadership for our young team," head coach Catrina Acosta said. "We figured she was our number one runner in the beginning of the season, but it would have been unfair to have expected this much from her before the season even started."
Alexandra Lindquist is the only Cowgirl who has competed at the national meet before. She was a member of the 1998 team that finished 20th and she qualified as an individual last year and finished 76th.
"Lindquist has provided our kids with information about this race. She is the most experienced girl on the team, which helps when you are as inexperienced as we are," Acosta said.
"Everything we have done this year has been a giant leap forward for this program."
The national meet is comprised of the top two teams from nine regions around the country and 13 at-large selections. Each team sends its top seven individuals to compete. Joining Alfheim and Lindquist will be Janine Brown, Catherine Clifford, Paula Gowing, Valentina Medina, and Marie Nilsson.
"I have just been telling our girls that this is an average big race," Acosta said.
