Oklahoma State University Athletics
Erassa, Cowboys Take First At Midwest Regional
November 14, 2014 | Cowgirl Cross Country & Track
PEORIA, Ill. -
The Oklahoma State men's cross country team finished 14 points ahead of second-place Tulsa at the 2014 NCAA Midwest Regional Championship in Peoria, Ill., on Friday, to give the Cowboys their fourth-consecutive regional title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
After capturing an individual title at the Big 12 Championships on Nov. 1, Kirubel Erassa led the way again for the Oklahoma State men's squad, recording a first-place time of 30:09.5 in the men's 10K competition. The Cowboys opened the race with a conservative approach, but took the lead at the 5K-mark and never looked back, placing all seven runners in the top 35.
“We ran fairly patiently for the first half, but we made a move in the second half, ran a good race and came away with the win,” head coach Dave Smith said. “Kirubel had a great day, and he's had a great season so far. Any time you can win the region, you're pretty good, and he's obviously very focused on getting the job done this season.”
Erassa's first-place effort was backed by a new personal best from Craig Nowak, who finished in eighth with a run of 30:17.6, as well as strong performances from Shane Moskowitz (11th), Brian Gohlke (21st) and David Osborn (22nd). Vegard Oelstad and Cerake Geberkidane, both newcomers to NCAA Division I competition, rounded out the pack of Cowboys with respective finishes of 28th and 37th.
“They were patient and controlled, and we ran hard enough to win the region and move on to nationals without going too deep into the well,” Smith said. “This race was another big step for our guys, and I think we're ready for another big-time performance at the national championships.”
With the win, Erassa also becomes the first Cowboy to earn an individual title at the regional championships since Colby Lowe's first-place finish in 2010.
On the women's side, Monika Juodeskaite repeated her all-region performance at last season's meet with a third-place effort in the women's 6K race, handing her an individual qualification to next week's NCAA Championships. The Cowgirls, who finished fifth in the team standings with 191 points, were also aided by Natalie Baker, who recorded a new individual best of 21:00.8 en route to a 36th-place finish.
“Monika is an outstanding athlete, and she ran a great race,” Smith said. “She's kind of setting the table to have her best race at nationals like she did last year, and I'm looking forward to her going for another All-American performance.”
The OSU cross country program will wrap up the season on Saturday, Nov. 22, in Terre Haute, Ind., as it competes at the 2014 NCAA Championships. For more updates and information, follow @Run4OKState on Twitter.
2014 NCAA Midwest Regional Championship
Nov. 14, 2014 – Peoria, Ill. – Newman Golf Course
Men's Team Results (10,000 meters)
1. Oklahoma State – 63
2. Tulsa – 77
3. Iowa State – 110
4. Minnesota – 128
5. Illinois – 137
6. Oklahoma – 148
7. Iowa – 261
8. Southern Illinois – 281
9. Bradley – 283
10. Loyola (Ill.) – 291
Men's Individual Results (10,000 meters)
1. Kirubel Erassa – 30:09.5+
8. Craig Nowak – 30:17.6+
11. Shane Moskowitz – 30:23.6+
21. Brian Gohlke – 30:37.7+
22. David Osborn – 30:37.7+
28. Vegard Oelstad – 30:44.9+
37. Cerake Geberkidane – 30:50.9
Women's Team Results (6,000 meters)
1. Iowa State – 66
2. Minnesota – 125
3. Bradley – 175
4. Tulsa – 180
5. Oklahoma State – 191
6. Missouri – 205
7. South Dakota – 244
8. Kansas State – 283
9. Oklahoma – 306
10. Illinois – 321
Women's Individual Results (6,000 meters)
3. Monika Juodeskaite – 20:08.4+*
36. Natalie Baker – 21:00.8
45. Kristine Helle – 21:07.0
50. Emily Helms – 21:16.0
57. Molly Sughroue – 21:22.9
81. Caileigh Glenn – 21:31.9
94. Aurora Dybedokken – 21:38.7
+ - All-Region performer
* - Qualified as an individual for the NCAA meet
