Women's Cross Country Punches Ticket To Nationals
November 13, 2015 | Cross Country
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For the first time in school history, the Mississippi State women's cross country team will compete for a National Championship.
After finishing second Friday morning at the NCAA South Regionals, the women's team automatically qualified for the championships Nov. 21 in Louisville, Ky. The Bulldogs scored 78 points to capture second, falling just short to first-place finisher and SEC foe Vanderbilt, who totaled 65 points.
"Going into the meet we'd had a good season and we knew we were ready, but most important our goal was to advance," MSU coach Houston Franks said. "I thought we ran a really good race. It's exciting to make it to nationals. Every coach says their team works hard, but this team has put so much time and effort into this goal."
MSU finished above SEC rivals Alabama, Ole Miss, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee.
While the team claimed second overall, four individuals recorded finishes in the Top 25 en route to earning All-Region honors.
Earning first for MSU in her fifth consecutive race was senior Marta Freitas. Freitas posted a time of 20:25.84 to place sixth. Following Freitas in the second spot was junior Rhianwedd Price in 10th overall with a time of 20:34.34.
Capturing the third and fourth spots for the Maroon and White were senior Cornelia Griesche and sophomore Mia Meydrich. Griesche finished 15th with a time of 20:41.33, while Meydrich record a 17th-place finish after running a time of 20:43.59.
Wrapping up MSU's Top 5 was junior Lisa Ziegler in 34th with a time of 21:17.50.
Ffion Price also competed for the Bulldogs and posted a 39th-place finish with a time of 21:27.80, while freshman Shannon Fair ran a time of 21:35.03 to finish 52nd.
"Going into the race I knew I wanted to get Top 25 and be All-Region, but I wanted to make it to nationals as a team even more," Meydrich said. "This team is incredible and words can't even begin to express how proud and honored I am to tow the line with them. There is absolutely no other group of people I'd rather make school history with."
The MSU men's team concluded their season after finishing 13th at regionals.
In his final race as a Bulldog, senior Mathew Dunn placed 30th with a time of 31:47.13.
Also running his last meet for MSU was senior Andrew Monaghan who finished with a time of 32:23.68 to claim 54th.
Finishing third for the men's team was Curtis Kelly in 78th after recording a time of 32:50.65.
Freshman JT Mackay claimed MSU's fourth spot after running 32:53.20 to place 81st overall, while sophomore Branden Nosker finished 84th with a personal-best 32:58.62.
Also competing for the men's squad was freshman Tristan Orman finishing 88th with a time of 33:05.43.Â
"Our next goal is to contend for the National Championship," Franks said. "We are not going to be just happy to get there, we have to go and perform again on the biggest stage in our sport."
For more information on the MSU track and field teams visit HailState.com and follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@HailStateTF).Â
Women's Team Points:
1. Vanderbilt, 68; 2. Mississippi State, 78; 3. Alabama, 135; 4. Florida State, 139; 5. Auburn, 186; 6. Middle Tennessee State, 201; 7. Ole Miss, 205; 8. Lipscomb, 206; 9. Florida, 256; 10. Geogria, 364
Women's Results:
Medalist: Chelsea Blaase, Tennessee, 20:02.29
Mississippi State: 6. Marta Freitas 20:25.84; 10. Rhianwedd Price, 20:34.34; 15. Cornelia Griesche, 20:41.33; 17. Mia Meydrich, 20:43.59; 34. Lisa Ziegler, 21:17.50; 39. Ffion Price, 21:27.48; 52. Shannon Fair, 21:35.03
Men's Team Points:
1. Florida State, 58; 2. Ole Miss, 62; 3. Florida, 102; 4. Georgia, 5. Auburn, 174; 6. Alabama, 183; 7. Middle Tennessee State, 196; 8. Georgia Tech, 211; 9. Tennessee, 296; 10. Belmont, 296; 13. Mississippi State, 317
Men's Results:
Medalist: Antibahs Kosgei, Alabama, 30:25.66
Mississippi State: 30. Mathew Dunn, 31:47.13; 54. Andrew Monaghan, 32:23.68; 78. Curtis Kelly, 32:50.65; 81. JT Mackay, 32:53.20; 84. Branden Nosker, 32:58.62; 88. Tristan Orman, 33:05.43
