Final Results

ST. LOUIS -- Missouri State junior Jessica Allen turned in a four-kilometer time of 14:43.3 here Friday evening to finish in sixth place overall in the Bears' cross country season opener. Allen led a pack of 10 Bears competing at the Gabby Reuveni Early Bird meet, which featured 123 runners from 11 Midwestern programs.

MSU standouts Savannah Aleckson (15:07.7) and Jade Raynore (15:14.0) also finished in the top 15, crossing the line at Central Fields with the 11th and 14th-fastest times, respectively.

"Jessica ran a tough race against some solid competition," said third-year Bears' head coach Jordan Fife. "She's hungry to keep that momentum going."

Missouri State was one of just two NCAA Division I programs entered in the meet. In-state rival Southeast Missouri State finished with three runners in the top five and six in the top 15 to outscore the younger Bears by a 42-18 margin in the team standings. The Redhawks also had the second-fastest overall individual finisher in sophomore Kaitlyn Shea (14:05.1) who finished just 7.5 seconds behind individual champion Emily Roberts of Southern Indiana (13:57.6).

"It was a decent start to the season," Fife said. "The team has been working really hard the past few weeks, but our focus is on the end of the year. If we aren't quite as sharp early in the season, I'm OK with that."

All of MSU's 10 entries finished in the upper division, with Jordan Capra (15:41.9) finishing 26th to lead three freshman competitors representing the maroon and white.

Southern Indiana posted a perfect score of 15 points to sweep the non-Division I field and outdistance meet host Washington University (48) and Maryville University (101).

The Bears will have two weeks to prepare for their next race when they return to the Missouri Southern Stampede in Joplin on Sept. 17.
 
Missouri State Individual Finishers
 6. Jessica Allen (14:43.3)
11. Savannah Aleckson (15:07.7)
14. Jade Raynor (15:14.0)
26. Jordyn Capra (15:41.9)
34. Mercedes Robinson (15:57.0)
35. Claire Schwarz (15:57.8)
36. Erica Wollmering (15:59.2)
49. Danielle Bohannon (16:16.0)
53. Megan Nickles (16:21.7)
61. Alyson Jones (16:37.3)

Division I Final Standings
1. Southeast Missouri St. 18
2. Missouri State 42

Non-Division I Final Standings
1. Southern Indiana 15
2. Washington University 48
3. Maryville (Mo.) 101
4. Webster (133)
5. Missouri Baptist (146)
6. Greenville (153)
7. Williams Baptist (187)
8. Stephens (225)
9. Fontbonne (286).