OSU Earns Pair of Runner-Up Finishes in Conference Team Race

Friday, October 26

Ames, Iowa

10 A.M. CT

Oklahoma State University

Big 12 Cross Country Championships

OSU Earns Pair of Runner-Up Finishes in Conference Team Race

October 26, 2018 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

AMES, IOWA—Sinclaire Johnson earned a runner-up finish and a trio of Cowboys finished in the top five to help the Oklahoma State men's and women's cross country teams finish as runners-up in the team race at the Big 12 Championships on Friday.

Johnson was aggressive from the start of the women's 6K championships race, hanging with the lead group for the first 5,000 meters. In the last 1,000 meters, the lead group started to stretch out and Iowa State's Cailie Logue emerged as the victor on her home course.

Johnson still kicked her way to a new personal-best time of 19:56.3 and a second-place finish, beating most notably two-time champion Sharon Lokedi, who finished the race in fifth place. Despite not winning the race, Johnson said she is still happy with her performance and is especially excited about her improvement as a cross country runner. She said every race this year has provided a learning opportunity.

"I've never raced cross country like this before, so today was another learning experience," Johnson said. "Going forward, now I know what to do and what not to do and it helps having that experience.

"I learned today that if a move is made, I have to go cover it and I can't let gaps form."

Behind Johnson was a host of Cowgirls. The OSU women's team put six runners in the top 16 and earned five All-Big 12 individual awards. Taylor Somers was the second woman across the line for OSU, completing the race in 20:49.3. It's the first time Somers has broken the 21-minute mark this season and is a collegiate best for the sophomore.

Also earning All-Big 12 honors was a trio of European athletes in Kaylee Dodd, Ariane Ballner and Grace Baker. Those Cowgirls took 12th, 14th and 15th to earn all-conference honors. This marks All-Big 12 award No. 9 for Dodd and is the fourth for Ballner. It is the first All-Big 12 honor for Baker.

Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Dave Smith said the Cowgirls took a big jump forward with their performance in Iowa.

"We wanted to win, and we ran well, about as best as we could," Smith said. "The women have improved a ton this year. I was really impressed with their effort."

In the men's race, OSU put three runners in the top five, but couldn't defeat the No. 6 Cyclones. Isai Rodriguez, Ashenafi Hatte and Luis Martinez finished in spots No. 2, 3 and 4.

For a majority of the race, that trio of Cowboys ran comfortably in the lead pack, but with about 1,500 meters to go, Edwin Kurgat of Iowa State took command of the race. The trio of Rodriguez, Hatte and Kurgat separated from the field, but Kurgat grabbed the lead and didn't give it up.

Rodriguez finished five seconds behind the champion and ran the 8K race in 23:26.2. Hatte came in behind his freshman teammate at 23:40.0 and Luis Martinez kicked his way to the front of the chase pack to finish fourth place with a time of 23:43.4.

The Cowboys put one more in the top 15. Jorge Perez also earned an All-Big 12 award with a 15th-place finish. He completed the race in 24:36.0. Alec Haines capped off OSU's scoring with a 16th-place finish.

The Cowboys finished with 40 points and the Cowgirls ended the race with 52 points. Despite giving all they had, OSU couldn't upset host school Iowa State in either race.

"We had two runner-up finishes in the team race and two runner-up finishes in the individual race," Smith said. "I guess we were the bridesmaid today."

Women's Race – Individual (6K)

2. Sinclaire Johnson – 19:56.3
9. Taylor Somers – 20:49.3
12. Kaylee Dodd – 20:53.5
14. Ariane Ballner – 20:58.4
15. Grace Baker – 20:59.3
16. Molly Born – 21:00.3
26. Abbie Hetherington – 21:18.4
28. Jenny Martinez – 21:20.2
35. Morgan Szekely – 21:34.3
56. Kami Hankins – 22:12.5

Men's Race – Individual (8K)
2. Isai Rodriguez – 23:26.2
3. Ashenafi Hatte – 23:40.0
4. Luis Martinez – 23:43.4
15. Jorge Perez – 24:36.0
16. Alec Haines – 24:40.6
20. Ryan Smeeton – 24:48.7
23. Bryce Quigley – 24:51.1
33. Ayrton Ledesma Fuentes – 25:28.6
39. Sukhi Khosla – 25:37.4
49. Owen Krewson – 25:56.6

Women's Race – Team
1. Iowa State – 35 points
2. Oklahoma State – 52 points
3. Kansas – 90 points
4. West Virginia – 96 points
5. Texas 113 points

Men's Race – Team
1. Iowa State – 32 points
2. Oklahoma State – 40 points
3. Texas – 70 points
4. Kansas – 79 points
5. Kansas State – 162 points