Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Chile Pepper Festival
OSU Cross Country Dominates Chile Pepper Festival
October 16, 2010 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Oct. 16, 2010
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Oklahoma State cross country program turned in another outstanding performance Saturday, rolling over the rest of the field at the 22nd annual Chile Pepper Festival as the men's and women's teams both claimed team titles, and Colby Lowe finished first overall for the men's squad.
"It was just a great day," coach Dave Smith said. "The guys were unbelievably poised and under control. They ran just like we planned and ran a perfect race."
The No. 2-ranked men's team sealed its team championship as the first four across the line in the 10k race were all Cowboys. Lowe came in at 29:10.97, followed by Tom Farrell, German Fernandez and Girma Mecheso.
Mecheso's finish, however, might be the most impressive due to his will to win.
"Girma was killing everyone and then got sick and had to walk for a little bit," Smith said. "I thought he might have to drop out of the race but he kept going and finished fourth. He was unbelievable. Colby also ran a great race and getting the individual win was huge for him."
The Cowboys finished with 22 team points, defeating second-place, No. 7-ranked Indiana by 51 points and third-place, No. 6-ranked Arkansas by 52 points.
The No. 28-ranked women's squad also registered a big team win, finishing four-points ahead of second-place, No. 24-ranked Indiana due in large part to Mihaela Susa.
The Cowgirl senior anchored the championship with a fourth-place finish in the 5k with a time of 17:18. 96.
Susa was followed by Felicity Milton at sixth and Natalja Piliusina at 11th to help seal the victory.
"The women came in a little dinged up, but they ran a great race," Smith said. "They came together for a big win and the whole team ran unbelievably. Overall, it was a lucky day for us where everything fell into place and we were able to get both team wins."
The OSU cross country resumes competition Oct. 30, as the Cowboys and Cowgirls return to Stillwater for the 2010 Big 12 Cross Country Championships.
2010 Chile Pepper Festival Results
Men's Team Results (Top 5)
1. Oklahoma State - 22
2. Indiana - 73
3. Arkansas - 74
4. Adams State - 134
5. Texas A&M - 241
OSU Men's Results
1. Colby Lowe - 29:10.97
2. Tom Farrell - 29:14.89
3. German Fernandez - 29:15.28
4. Girma Mecheso - 29:21.06
14. Johnathan Stublaski - 29:52.06
22. Sean Fleming - 30:12.13
27. Shane Moskowitz (UNAT) - 30:20.13
41. Joseph Manilafasha - 30:33.43
43. Ryan Prentice - 30:34.98
Women's Team Results (Top 5)
1. Oklahoma State - 68
2. Indiana - 72
3. Texas A&M - 154
4. Adams State - 188
5. Oakland - 254
OSU Women's Results
4. Mihaela Susa - 17:18.96
6. Felicity Milton - 17:20.14
11. Natalja Piliusina - 17:43.10
21. Kate Kujawa - 17:53.18
30. Victoria Fratczak - 17:59.03
41. Victoria Hanna - 18:12.88
55. Jori Davis - 18:24.46
66. Melanie Funke - 18:30.53
71. Ruth-Anne - 18:33.02
87. Teran Mixon - 18:42.18
104. Brandi Andrews - 18:49.81
118. Caileigh Glenn - 18:59.11
208. Jenny Dyer - 19:40.82
224. Laura Heaton - 19:45.26
437. Aven Sanders - 23:20.62
Players Mentioned
