Meet Information
Event: Mizzou Opener (4k), hosted by Missouri
Date & Time: Friday, Aug. 30, 5:30 p.m.
Location: LA Nickell Golf Course, Columbia, Mo.
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SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's cross country team begins their 2019 campaign in Columbia, Mo. with the Mizzou Opener on Friday, Aug. 30.  The 4k race is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and will be held at LA Nickell Golf Course.

"These first two meets really amount to our 'preseason' portion of the schedule," says head coach Jordan Fife.  "We're focused on grouping up and working together the way they've been doing in workouts these first two weeks."

Missouri State will send 11 runners to the first meet of the season, marking the debut for newcomers Natalie Clayton, Riley Lourens, Ashley Rolewicz, and Melissa Wolk.

Grace Breiten led the Bears in all six races last season.  The all-conference product placed fifth at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship and ran her career best 4k time (14:33.5) in the season opener last year. 

Senior Erica Wollmering is a staple for the Bears, competing in all but one race for the Bears during her college career.  She set her personal best in the 4k at the J.K. Gold Classic in her sophomore season with a time of 14:49.1.

Juniors Lindsey Biesemeyer and Shelby Palmer along with sophomores Jasmine Crawford, Adyson Delaney, and Emily Yaeger round out the Bears' runners for the opening meet.

"We certainly want to get the competitive fire going by having a couple of other teams out there," Fife adds.  "Ultimately, our focus remains on getting better every week and doing the things we need to do to have success later in the season."

Fife enters his sixth season as Missouri State's head cross country coach.  The Bears return 13 runners and have added five newcomers to the 2019 roster.

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