The Missouri State Bears wrapped up their 2009 campaign on Nov. 14 at the NCAA Midwest Regional for Cross Country.  The team finished 12^th out of the 31 teams that competed, and sophomore Terry Phillips was the top finisher, coming in at 18^th overall with a time of 21:24.60, a new personal best for her in the 6K.  This is the first time this season that the Bears have finished outside of the top 10 in a meet.

The men's race was very intense, with eventual champions Oklahoma State pacing the group.  All of Oklahoma State's athletes finished in the top 16, with a split time of four seconds between the top and last finishers.  The individual champion was Minnesota's Hassan Mead, who also won the contest in 2008.  Advancing to the National Championships from the Midwest Region are the teams of Oklahoma State and Oklahoma; and the individuals of Hassan Mead (1^st overall, 30:21.9), Jeff Schirmer of Southern Illinois (2^nd, 30:49.9), Hillary Bor (5^thoverall, 30:55.6) and Guor Marial (6^th, 30:56.4) teammates from Iowa State.

On the women's side, Senior Angela Bizzarri entered as the favorite to win and delivered with the Regional crown.  Her time of 20:07.5 was the best time in the women's race by a full seven seconds.  The team title went to the Golden Gophers o f Minnesota, who placed six harriers in the top 20.  Advancing for the women are the teams of Minnesota and Illinois, with the individuals Lisa Koll of Iowa State (3^rd, 20:19.2), Lauren Bonds of the University of Kansas (20:49.1), Kansas State's Beverly Ramos (6^th, 20:55.9) and Mihaela Susa (7^th, 20:59.6) of Oklahoma State.

This marks the final race of the 2009 cross country season.  The Bears finished the year with several impressive finishes.  The only graduate of this season's team will be senior Staci Nelson.  The Bears will now enter into the indoor track season, with the first event coming on Jan. 8, at the Missouri Invitational in Columbia, Mo.