Cowgirl Harriers Run Under the Weather at Nationals

Monday, November 19

Greenville, SC

All Day

Oklahoma State University

NCAA Championship

November 19, 2001 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

Nov. 19, 2001

Greenville, S.C. - Oklahoma State's women's cross country team battled the flu as well as the nation at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Greenville, S.C. today.

The Cowgirls finished 18th with most of the team experiencing the effects of the flu. BYU was crowned national champions by placing five All-Americans in the top 25. Tara Chaplin of Arizona won the individual title and set a course record with a time of 20:24.

Conference rivals Colorado, the defending national champions, and Texas finished eighth and 28th, respectively.

"I am absolutely ecstatic," head coach Catrina Acosta said. "We ran absolutely our worst race of the season, but given the circumstances we are very pleased and are looking forward to making return trips in the future."

Sophomore Marie Nilsson was the top finisher for the Cowgirls by scoring 49 points for the young squad. Senior Siri Alfheim, one of the Cowgirsl battling the illness, slipped from the top 30 with 1,000 meters to go and finish 93rd overall and score 71 points for the team standings. Alfheim ran the 6k course in a time of 22:05, a minute in a half slower than her regional time.

"If we are completely healthy, who knows where we finish. We could have easily been near the top 10. I have to be very pleased at our outing knowing the possibilities," Acosta said.

Paula Gowing, the only other senior competing, scored 106 points for her team finishing 137th overall. Alexandra Lindquist and Valentina Medina scored 126 and 130 points respectively.

The Cowgirls return five starters with a lot of valuable experience going into next year.

Team Results:

1. BYU 62

2. N.C. State 148

3. Georgetown 180

4. Arizona 194

5. Stanford 206

...

8. Colorado 240

17. Arkansas 460

18. Okla. State 482

28. Texas 620