The Missouri State cross country team enjoyed a banner day at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship Saturday (Oct. 27) in Cedar Falls, Iowa, riding season-best performances from five of its seven runners to earn a second-place team finish. Wichita State totaled 47 points to the Bears’ 58 in the 5K race to earn its third consecutive conference title.
Senior Carrie Vestal bested her previous 2007-best performance with a run of 17:37.78 to finish fourth and lead a group of three Bears that earned All-MVC honors by finishing in the top 10. Junior Jamie Vest also registered a career day, finishing right on Vestal’s heels in fifth with a time of 17:39.28, while senior Asher Kyger came in seventh in 17:42.61. Each of the three performances rank among the top 10 all-time at Missouri State.
Junior Kristin Wolkey just missed eclipsing her season best with a run of 18:27.21 to finish 20th, and sophomore Emily Fletcher posted a 22nd-place finish with a time of 18:29.97. Sophomore Staci Nelson’s came home in 47th with yet another career performance by a MSU harrier, finishing in 19:14.79.
Wichita State’s Kellyn Johnson earned a decisive victory, beating second-place Traci Hawley of UNI by over 20 seconds. The Shockers also got strong showings from third-place finisher Mica Land (17:29.58) and Olivia Martinez (17:49.33), who placed 10th. The MVC crown was Wichita State’s eighth all-time.
UNI (93 points) placed third, followed by Illinois State (101), Indiana State (136), Drake (156), Southern Illinois (197), Bradley (199), Creighton (211) and Evansville (220).
Next up, Missouri State will compete in the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship on Saturday, Nov. 10 in Peoria, Ill. Bradley University will host the meet, which will take place at Newman Golf Course at 12:15 p.m.
