Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Runners Finish Fifth at Midwest Regionals
July 19, 2007 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
“As a team, we were able to see that our younger runners are willing to lead us when they get a chance,” Cowgirl head coach Rene Sepulveda said.Â
OSU finished the day with 175 team points, while finishing behind regional champion No. 13 Illinois, which scored 44 points. Sixth-ranked Minnesota, No. 23 Iowa and Big 12-rival Nebraska rounded out the top-four, respectively. Illinois and Minnesota both earned automatic berths to the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 20 after claiming the top-two positions in the team standings. Iowa's Diane Nukuri claimed the individual title in a time of 20:34.
The Cowgirls were led behind the running of freshman sensation Hanna Holst, as she finished 20th out of a pack of 171 competitors. Holst, who scored in her fourth meet this season, ran a team best time of 21:47.
After earning all-region honors the past two seasons, senior Mary Davies failed to reach that accomplishment after finishing 32nd with a time of 22:02.
Junior Eva Tomankova ran well in her third regional competition, finishing 33rd in a time of 22:03.
Freshman Tone Hjalmarsen (22:10) and senior Eva Slavikova (22:30) concluded the Cowgirls' top-five scoring, finishing 38th and 52nd, respectively.
Earning top-60 finishes and giving OSU added support, freshman Leah Schroeder and sophomore Maria Trejo finished 57th and 58th, respectively.
“We have a great group of freshmen runners who will have many opportunities to lead our team in the near future.”
