Women's Cross Country Finishes 17th At NCAA Championships
November 21, 2015 | Cross Country
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Finishing three spots better than predicted, the No. 20 Mississippi State women's cross country team finished 17th at its first-ever NCAA Championships appearance. Â
"It's great to come and finish higher than expected," MSU coach Houston Franks said. "I'm proud of the entire team for getting to this point and coming to compete today. I really hope we can carry this success into the indoor track and field season."
The Maroon and White scored 405 points during the meet with senior Marta Freitas leading the way in 37th place after clocking a time of 20:26.70. Freitas' Top 40 finish earned her All-American honors, becoming the third All-American in program history.
"As an individual I'm really happy," Freitas said. "I beat the person that matters the most, myself. I had a tough race. My stomach was hurting me during the last 4K, but I fought against all excuses for quitting and I ended up in the Top 40. Now I'm looking forward to the outdoor season, I can't wait to be back on the track."
Not far behind Freitas was MSU's second runner, junior Rhianwedd Price. Price secured 50th place with a time of 20:32.30.
In her final race for the Bulldogs, senior Cornelia Griesche captured the third-place finish for MSU after recording a time of 21:01.10 to finish 125th overall.
Mia Meydrich, sophomore, and Lisa Ziegler, junior, rounded out MSU's Top 5. Meydrich placed 162nd clocking a time of 21:16.20. Running a time of 21:19.50, Ziegler earned 169th in the meet.
Also in competition today was junior Ffion Price and freshman Shannon Fair in the sixth and seventh spots. Ffion Price earned 188th with a time of 21:29.80, while Fair recorded a time of 21:48.40 to place 213th, respectively.
"I'm really proud of this team," Freitas said. "Step-by-step this program is getting bigger and this was a consequence of all the hard work we have put in this season. Each individual on this team has a lot of potential, plus oriented by a talented and great coach like coach Franks, only good things could happen."
With 31 teams vying for the title, New Mexico captured the first-place team finish with 49 points, while Molly Seidel from Notre Dame ran a time of 19:28.60 to finish first individually.
Throughout the 2015 cross country season the women's team competed valiantly in every race. The team brought home the highest finishes in program history at the SEC Championships and the NCAA South Regionals, capturing second at both.Â
With the conclusion of the best cross country season in program history, the MSU distance runners will now turn their attention toward the indoor track and field season, which will begin in January.
For more information on the MSU cross country teams visit HailState.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@HailStateTF).
Team Results
1. New Mexico, 49; 2. Colorado, 129; 3. Oregon, 214; 4. Providence, 231; 5. NC State, 264; 6. Michigan, 264;Â 7. Oklahoma State, 274; 8. Notre Dame, 276; 9. Arkansas, 276;Â 10. Washington, 297; 11. Boise State, 330; 12. Syracuse, 359; 13. Michigan State 368; 14. Stanford, 379; 15. Virginia, 386; 16. Â Penn State, 396; 17. Mississippi State, 405; 18. Minnesota, 471; 19. Vanderbilt, 474;20. Georgetown, 491Â (Out of 31 teams)Â
Individual Results
Medalist: Molly Seidel, Notre Dame, 19:28.60
Mississippi State: 37. Marta Freitas 20:26.70; 50. Rhianwedd Price, 20:32.30; 125. Cornelia Griesche, 21:01.10; 162. Mia Meydrich, 21:16.20; 169: 21:19.50; 188. Ffion Price, 21:29.80; 213. Shannon Fair, 21:48.40
