Cowboys And Cowgirls Punch Ticket To NCAA Championship

Friday, November 12

Iowa City, IA

11:00 AM (CST)

Oklahoma State University

NCAA Midwest Regional Championship

November 12, 2021 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track

Midwest Regional Men's Results Midwest Regional Women's Results

IOWA CITY – Oklahoma State men's and women's cross country both earned a spot in next week's NCAA Championship field with their performances at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship on Friday at the Ashton Cross-Country Course in Iowa.

In the women's 6k, Taylor Roe paved the way for the Cowgirls as she came in second place overall with a time of 20:46.27. Roe was the first Cowgirl to cross the finish line in her third-consecutive race.

Molly Born was next for OSU, finishing seventh in 20:52.18. Born made an impressive push from the 5k marker to the finish line where she jumped 209 spots to be one of three Cowgirls who finished in the top 10.

Gabby Hentemann was next as she finished in eighth.

It was Clarissa Morales, Rilee Rigdon and Stephanie Moss next for the Cowgirls, as they finished 27th, 31st and 39th, respectively.

The Cowgirl's effort was enough to take second place as a team and qualify for the NCAA Cross Country Championship that takes place Nov. 20, in Tallahassee, Florida.

"I thought it went really well," Director of Track & Field And Cross Country Dave Smith said. "Delt with a little adversity. Lost Kelsey midway through the way and that put a little extra pressure on the rest of them, but they responded well and stayed under control and got through the way we needed to get into second place and into the National Championship."

On the men's side, the Cowboys were able to fend off Iowa State and Tulsa to snag a team win and qualify for the NCAA Championship, as well.

It was Ryan Smeeton to cross the finish line first for the Cowboys in the men's 10k. He finished fifth overall in 30:24.86. Smeeton was one of four Cowboys to finish in the top 10, as he was accompanied by Alex Maier in sixth, Victor Shitsama and Shea Foster in eighth and ninth place.

Rory Leonard and Isai Rodriguez were the next Cowboys to cross the finish line in 15th and 16th place with times of 30:32.58 and 30:34.04. Ryan Schoppe was not far behind, coming in 22nd overall, which put seven Cowboys in the top 25.

"The men looked they were in total control of the race from start to finish" Smith said. "I was really impressed with them. You look forward to next week and I think getting through this way the way they did – I'm really encouraged with where we are. I thought that was just a really patient and controlled race. I don't think they ever had to go to the well. They were under control the entire way. I think we're in a really good spot for nationals."

Up next, both the Cowboys and Cowgirls will compete in the NCAA Cross Country National Championship on Saturday, Nov. 20, in Tallahassee, Fla.

For more information on Oklahoma State men's and women's cross country, continue to check back with okstate.com.

Women's Race – Individual (6k)

2. Taylor Roe – 20:46.57
7. Molly Born – 20:52.18
8. Gabby Hentemann – 20:53.78
27. Clarissa Morales – 21:20.16
31. Rilee Rigdon – 21:23.02
39. Stephanie Moss – 21:31.15

Women's Race – Team (6k)

1. Minnesota – 45
2. Oklahoma State – 75
3. Iowa State – 81
4. Northwestern – 169
5. Illinois – 192
6. Kansas State – 243
7. Tulsa – 263
8. Missouri – 275
9. Nebraska – 303
10. Bradley – 341
11. Loyola (Ill.) – 347
12. Kansas – 352
13. South Dakota State – 365
14. Iowa – 388
15. South Dakota – 431
16. Illinois State – 451
17. North Dakota State – 457
18. Eastern Illinois – 507
19. Drake – 515
20. Missouri State – 584
21. Wichita State – 586
22. Southern Illinois – 610
23. Northern Iowa – 622
24. North Dakota – 640
25. DePaul – 651
26. Creighton – 692
27. Saint Louis – 717
28. Northern Illinois – 728
29. Illinois-Chicago – 742
30. SE Missouri – 871
31. SIU Edwardsville – 873
32. Western Illinois – 921

Men's Race – Individual (10k)

5. Ryan Smeeton – 30:24.86
6. Alex Maier – 30:24.97
8. Victor Shitsama – 30:25.63
9. Shea Foster – 30:26.35
15. Rory Leonard – 30:32.58
16. Isai Rodriguez – 30:34.04
22. Ryan Schoppe – 30:51.35

Men's Race – Team (10k)

1. Oklahoma State – 43
2. Iowa State – 57
3. Tulsa – 65
4. Minnesota – 120
5. Illinois – 210
6. Eastern Illinois – 235
7. Drake – 236
8. South Dakota State – 238
9. Wichita State – 246
10. Missouri – 276
11. Kansas State – 332
12. Bradley – 366
13. Iowa – 375
14. Kansas – 426
15. Loyola (Ill.) – 439
16. Nebraska – 467
17. Saint Louis – 492
18. Illinois State – 497
19. Illinois-Chicago - 553
20. Southern Illinois – 594
21. South Dakota – 604
22. North Dakota State – 623
23. Creighton – 624
24. Northern Iowa – 651
25. DePaul – 654
26. North Dakota – 754
27. SIU Edwardsville – 774
28. SE Missouri – 845