FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Missouri State cross country turned in another strong performance on Saturday at the Chile Pepper Festival, placing fifth overall behind the likes of Texas and host No. 22 Arkansas in a highly-competitive field. The Bears scored 137 points behind a balanced effort that saw five runners finish inside the top 50, including four of the top 15 times and performers.

Four runners established themselves in the top 15 performers and times in program history in the 5k.

• Tabitha Fox – 18^th overall, 17:13.1, 3^rd all-time performer and 4^th overall time
• Madilyn Moore – 22^nd overall, 17:20.0, 5^th all-time performer and 6^th overall time
• Elsa Henry – 28^th overall, 17:27.8, 10^th all-time performer and 11^th overall time
• Ella Cronhardt – 40^th overall, 17:33.8, 15^th all-time performer and 14^th overall time

Freshman Ella Rew rounded out the scoring five in 48th with a time of 17:41.1. Missouri State also saw strong depth performances from Emily Nuttall (58th, 17:52.8), Addysen Clark (66th, 18:02.5), and Faith Fotiades (70th, 18:05.8), as 10 different Bears finished in the top 80 of a race that included more than 275 competitors.

"Today was a special day for our program, both from an individual standpoint and the team as a whole, their performances were exactly what we hoped for," said head coach Jordan Fife. "Putting four people on the top 15 all-time performer list speaks to this team's depth. The conditions were still less than ideal but the team ran extremely tough. This is a very motivated and confident group!"

The Bears return to action on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Bradley Pink Classic in Peoria, Ill. The women's 6k is scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m.  
Individual Results
18. Tabitha Fox – 17:13.10
22. Madilyn Moore – 17:20.00
28. Elsa Henry – 17:27.80
40. Ella Cronhardt – 17:33.80
48. Ella Rew – 17:41.10
58. Emily Nuttall – 17:52.80
66. Addysen Clark – 18:02.50
67. Adrien Martens – 18:03.60
70. Faith Fotiades – 18:05.80
79. Riley Bryan – 18:11.10
98. Amy Gotfredson– 18:27.40
109. Grace Buschling – 18:37.00
110. Lena Singleton – 18:37.60
113. Britta Foust – 18:39.20
152. Kaitlyn Hatley – 19:09.70
153. Emilee Brusselers – 19:09.70

Team Results
1. Texas - 54
2. #22 Arkansas - 106
3. Stephen F. Austin - 110
4. Rice - 113
5. Missouri State – 137
6. UT Arlington - 229
7. Nebraska-Kearney - 258
8. Mississippi College - 261
9. Northwest Missouri – 267
10. UAB - 270
11. Missouri Southern - 285
12. Southwest Baptist - 372
13. Oral Roberts - 415
14. Tarleton State - 446
15. ULM - 464
16. North Texas - 477
17. Saint Mary (Kan.) - 491
18. Abilene Christian - 499
19. East Central (Okla.) - 501
20. St. Edward's - 529
21. Arkansas Tech - 582
21. Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC - 582
23. Drury - 583
24. Lamar - 650
25. Little Rock - 676
26. Texas Southern - 700
27. Crowder (Mo.) - 709
28. SIUE - 717
29. Prairie View A&M - 817
30. Wichita State - NTS
31. East Texas A&M - NTS