HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Missouri State cross country made a statement in its first Conference USA Championship on Friday morning, earning a third-place team finish among 12 teams. The Bears showcased consistency and depth from start to finish, holding third place at every split to secure a historic podium finish in their first appearance at the event. The result marks the program's best conference finish since 2010, when Missouri State also placed third.
 
Leading the effort, Tabitha Fox continued her outstanding junior campaign with a 13th-place finish in 20:48.40, the best individual performance by a Bear at a conference meet since Grace Breiten's 5th-place finish in 2018.
 
Seven Bears etched their names into the program's all-time 6K performance list with their efforts in Huntsville:

Tabitha Fox – 13th overall, 20:48.40, 5th all-time performer
Ella Cronhardt – 24th overall, 21:13.60, 7th all-time performer
Elsa Henry – 25th overall, 21:16.50, 8th all-time performer
Madilyn Moore – 26th overall, 21:16.90, 9th all-time performer
Ella Rew – 35th overall, 21:38.50, 16th all-time performer
Addysen Clark – 37th overall, 21:42.20, 19th all-time performer
Emily Nuttall – 39th overall, 21:43.90, 20th all-time performer
 
The Bears totaled 117 points, trailing only Liberty (40) and New Mexico State (103) in the final team standings.
 
"I'm so proud of this team and this program for their commitment this season," said head coach Jordan Fife. "We had some really high goals and finishing third in our inaugural CUSA Championship is something that shows we belong, and we're just getting started. It's a great day to be a BEAR!"
 
Up next, the Bears will compete at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship on Friday, Nov. 14, at 10:30 a.m. in Stillwater, Okla., hosted by Oklahoma State.
#WeAreMoState

Individual Results
13. Tabitha Fox – 20:48.40
24. Ella Cronhardt – 21:13.60
25. Elsa Henry – 21:16.50
26. Madilyn Moore – 21:16.90
35. Ella Rew – 21:38.50
37. Addysen Clark – 21:42.20
39. Emily Nuttall – 21:43.90
43. Riley Bryan – 21:48.20
46. Amy Gotfredson – 21:55.30
48. Adrien Martens – 22:02.00
 
Team Results
1. Liberty - 40
2. New Mexico State - 103
3. Missouri State - 117
4. Delaware - 122
5. Kennesaw State - 137
6. Middle Tennessee University - 141
7. Jacksonville State - 154
8. FIU - 173
9. Western Kentucky - 217
10. Sam Houston - 292
11. UTEP - 322
12. LA Tech - 365