Cowgirls Earn Automatic Bid to National Championships

Friday, November 9

Peoria, Illinois

11 A.M. CT

Oklahoma State University

NCAA Midwest Regional Championships

November 09, 2018 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

PEORIA, Ill.—The Oklahoma State women's cross country team came in second place, and the OSU men's cross country squad finished fourth at the NCAA Midwest Regional on Friday.

The Cowgirls earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships with their runner-up finish. Sinclaire Johnson was again the leading runner for the Cowgirls, finishing the race in 16th. She ran a time of 20:58.1.

The Cowgirls benefited from a small spread from the rest of their lineup. Three OSU runners finished within seven seconds of each other, and all three times clocked in as top-30 performances.

Grace Baker was the second Cowgirl across the line, finishing with a time of 21:13.4 and earning a 23rd-place finish. One second later, Taylor Somers completed the race in 24th and Ariane Ballner wasn't far behind the pair, completing the 6,000-meter race in 21:19.6.

Kaylee Dodd capped off the Cowgirls' scoring effort with a 49th-place finish and a time of 21:34.1.

OSU Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Dave Smith said the women's team survived on a course with tough and muddy conditions.

"For our track and middle distance specialists, being in the mud and slush was a little tough," Smith said. "We had some true cross country girls like Taylor Somers, Grace Baker and Ariane Ballner come through big time. They kind of carried us today.

"The whole season has been a total team effort, and I'm really proud of the way the women ran."

In the men's race, OSU came in fourth place, but it put three runners in the top 15.

Isai Rodriguez was the individual runner-up to Edwin Kurgat for the second consecutive race. Ashenafi Hatte finished fifth and just missed out on a sub-31 minute mark in his first Division I 10K cross country race. Luis Martinez followed them in 14th with a time of 31:17.9.

"I think Isai Rodriguez is the real deal and one of the best athletes in the country as a redshirt-freshman," Smith said. "I think Ashenafi Hatte is just as tough, and Luis Martinez ran like the seasoned veteran he is and did a good job."

Alec Haines and Ryan Smeeton rounded out OSU's top five with 42nd- and 61st-place finishes.

Jorge Perez, a staple in OSU's lineup this year, went down with an injury and was unable to finish the race.

The Cowboys didn't earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships based on their Regional finish. Their hopes to make it back to the national championships rest on an at-large bid.

At-large teams are announced tomorrow, but the chances of the Cowboys making their 16th consecutive NCAA Championships appearance look favorable.

"At the end of the day, we think we are going to get through based on at-large points," Smith said. "We know the women qualified, and we think the men are going to as well, so I'd say it was a good day."

Women's Individual Results
16. Sinclaire Johnson – 20:58.1
23. Grace Baker – 21:13.4
24. Taylor Somers – 21:14.4
28. Ariane Ballner – 21:19.6
49. Kaylee Dodd – 21:34.1
51. Molly Born – 21:35.3
101. Jenny Martinez – 22:04.6

Women's Team Results
1. Iowa State – 78 points
2. Oklahoma State – 140 points
3. Minnesota – 185 points
4. Illinois – 203 points
5. Northwestern – 205 points

Men's Individual Results
2. Isai Rodriguez – 30:42.5
5. Ashenafi Hatte – 31:03.1
14. Luis Martinez – 31:17.9
42. Alec Haines – 32:02.1
61. Ryan Smeeton – 32:16.6
96. Bryce Quigley – 32:55.3

Men's Team Results
1. Iowa State – 38 points
2. Bradley – 102 points
3. Tulsa – 107 points
4. Oklahoma State – 124 points
5. Minnesota – 173 points