The Bears ran their first meet of the 2009 season today, competing with Southwest Baptist University at the Frisco Trail.  Team scores were not kept for the event, but many Bear athletes turned in very impressive times.  Leading the way for MSU were the duo of senior Staci Nelson and sophomore Terry Phillips who ran the 4 mile trail with times of 25:42.00 and 24:30.00, respectively.  Rounding out the top six for the Bears were freshman Emily Beaver, junior Mari-Jean Vance, freshman Abigail Schlater and freshman Ashton Stubbs. 

"This is a great start to our season," said head coach Greg Hipp, "The girls improvements after just a few weeks together has been astounding."

This dual will lead directly to the Bears next race, the Missouri State Classic, their first host meet of the year.  The Missouri State Classic has drawn many large programs such as Oklahoma State, who placed fifth as a team in last years NCAA Midwest Regional.  Oklahoma State will also bring senior Mihaela Susa, who placed tenth among all runners in last year's Regional.  Her main competition will be Phillips, who placed twentieth in the same competition.  The Classic will take place on September 19 at 9 a.m. on the Missouri State Cross Country Facility.

Complete Times for Dual
1. Terry Phillips - MSU -  24:30.00
2. Staci Nelson - MSU - 25:42.00
3. Emily Beaver - MSU - 26:36.00
4. Mari-Jean Vance - MSU - 26:38.00
5. Abigail Schlater - MSU - 26:42.00
6. Ashton Stubbs - MSU - 26:45.00
7. Andrea Marshall - MSU - 26:52.00
8. Maggie Sutor - MSU - 26:56.00
9. Stephanie Harres - MSU - 26:56.00
10. Chelsea Strahm - SBU - 27:02.00
11.Rebecca Brigance - SBU - 27:10.00
12. Andrea Owensby - SBU - 27:18.00
13. Kristen Color - SBU - 27:18.00
14. Camrie Nelson - SBU - 28:01.00
15. Melanie McVoy - SBU - 28:28.00
16. Amber Hoard - SBU - 29:13.00