Missouri State sophomore Kristin Wolkey led the Bears' cross country team to a second-place team finish at the Memphis Twilight Classic, Saturday, in Memphis, Tenn., with her third-place showing. Wolkey recorded the top 5K time for MSU in 17:23.67, knocking 24 seconds off her season-best time. Harding University won the meet, placing four runners in the top ten.
Jamie Vest, a Missouri State sophomore, finished 12th in 18:00.86. Juniors Chloe Key and Carrie Vestal also marked finishes in the top-20. Key placed 16th in 18:13.89 and Vestal was 18th in 18:24.29.
Senior Clarissa Codrington finished 21st in a time of 18:30.10. Freshmen Staci Nelson, Auvia Miller and Emily Fletcher also competed for Missouri State. Nelson placed 54th in 19:41.23, Miller came in close behind in the 56th position with a time in 19:42.61 and Fletcher placed 68th in 19:59.86.
The Memphis Twilight Classic consisted of 24 competing schools. Harding took home the gold with 40 team points. Missouri State was second with 67 points, followed by Western Kentucky (74), Arkansas-Little Rock (171) and Alabama-Huntsville (180). Whitney Kerth from Arkansas-Little Rock turned in the fastest time of the evening in 17:18.77.
The Bears' cross country team will compete in the NCAA Pre-National Championship on Saturday, Oct. 11, in Terre Haute, Ind. The meet is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
