Final Results
PEORIA, Ill. – The Missouri State women's cross country team finished in sixth place (139 points) and marked two runners in the top-25 at the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Championship.

The five-kilometer race was contested at Newman Golf Course in Peoria, Ill.  

Sophomore Grace Breiten paced the Bears to finish in fifth place overall, claiming All-Missouri Valley Conference honors. Breiten ran a 17:21.67 5K, earning a new personal best and the sixth fastest 5K in program history.  

"Grace had a tremendous race today, taking fifth," head cross country coach Jordan Fife said. "She set herself up very well for the next couple years by proving to herself she can compete at the top of the conference."

Joining Breiten in the top-25 was Erica Wollmering. Wollmering cut 18 seconds off her personal best time, recording an 18:14.2 5K.

"We didn't have the day we would have liked to have as a whole," Fife said. "We knew that the margin for error between third and sixth was going to be very tight and we couldn't afford to not be at our best."

Paityn Howat, Jordyn Capra and Edna Dar wrap up the Bears scoring line up. Howat ran an 18:27.3 race, finishing 31^st, while Capra came in six seconds later in 35^th. Dar took 44^th with an 18:52.2 season best pace.

"We still had several lifetime bests up and down the lineup," Fife said, "but we know we are a better team than what we showed today. We have to regroup and refocus to end the season on a high note at the NCAA regional meet."

The Bears will now turn their attention to the NCAA Midwest Regional meet to be held Nov. 9 back in Peoria, Ill.

Missouri State Individual Finishers
5. Grace Breiten: 17:21.6
24. Erica Wollmering: 18:14.2
31. Paityn Howat: 18:27.3
35. Jordyn Capra: 18:33.1
44. Edna Dar: 18:52.2
51. Jasmine Crawford: 19:11.7
52. Mercedes Robinson: 19:15.0

Team Scores

1. Bradley – 51
2. Loyola – 75
3. Illinois State – 85
4. Indiana State – 107
5. Northern Iowa – 111
6. Missouri State – 139
7. Southern Illinois – 163
8. Drake – 207
9. Evansville – 232
10. Valparaiso – 267

Follow the Bears
For more information on the Missouri State cross country team, visit MissouriStateBears.com or visit the team Twitter @MSUBearsTrackXC and Facebook.