Somers Finishes Second at NCAA XC Regional in Stillwater

Friday, November 15

Stillwater, OK

10 A.M. CT

Oklahoma State University

NCAA Stillwater Regional

November 15, 2019 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track, Cowgirl Cross Country & Track

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State cross country played host to the NCAA Midwest Regional this morning on the newly-renovated, state-of-the-art OSU Cross Country Course. Taylor Somers cruised to a runner-up finish in front of a huge crowd in the course's debut race to automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships and help the Cowgirls to a fourth-place team finish.

For the No. 25 Cowgirls, the duo of Somers and Molly Born notched its fourth-consecutive meet with top-10 finishes, as Born finished in sixth place overall. Kaytlyn Larson ran a strong race to finish 22^nd, and Ariane Ballner and Amanda Mayoral finished 48^th and 82^nd, respectively, to round out the Cowgirls' top five.

Somers, Born and Larson all earned All-NCAA Midwest Region recognition for their top-25 finishes.

"I'm proud of Taylor Somers. This is her first individual qualifying in any of the three sports since she's been here," head coach Dave Smith said. "She's one that's really came in and worked hard and has progressed greatly throughout her career. She's a great leader for our team and a great example of where I want this program to be in the future."

The No. 23 Cowboys were led by 2019 NCAA 3,000-meter steeplechase runner-up Ryan Smeeton's 15^thplace finish. Adam Dayani finished second for the Cowboys, turning in a 19^th-place finish in a strong effort. Freshman Alex Maier finished 30^th, Bryce Quigley was 50^th and 2018 All-American Isai Rodriguez battled through injury to place 66^th for the Cowboys, who finished fifth-place as a team.

The Cowboys had two individuals named to the all-region team in Ryan Smeeton and Adam Dayani.

"We have to find a way to stay healthy," Smith said. "The guys who ran today are all back next year, and I think if we can stay healthy we can be a really good team."

The Cowgirls' fourth-place finish gives them a chance at receiving one of 13 at-large bids for the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana, on November 23.

Men's Race - Individual (10K)

15. Ryan Smeeton - 31:15.9
19. Adam Dayani - 31:19.6
30. Alex Maier - 31:40.4
50. Bryce Quigley - 32:02.3
66. Isai Rodriguez - 32:21.7
71. Isaiah Priddey - 32:26.1
78. Alec Haines - 32:36.9

Women's Race - Individual (6K)

2. Taylor Somers - 20:28.0
6. Molly Born - 20:41.7
22. Kaytlyn Larson - 21:16.5
48. Ariane Ballner - 21:52.5
82. Amanda Mayoral - 22:18.9
95. Montanna McAvoy - 22:29.3
DNF. - Taylor Roe

Men's Race - Team

1. Tulsa - (37)
2. Iowa State - (54)
3. Kansas - (150)
4. South Dakota State - (166)
5. Oklahoma State - (179)

Women's Race - Team

1. Illinois - (108)
2. Tulsa - (123)
3. Minnesota - (130)
4. Oklahoma State - (159)
5. Missouri - (172)