Woodward Leads The Way At North Alabama Showcase

Friday, September 17

Florence, AL

Mississippi State

North Alabama Showcase

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Woodward Leads The Way At North Alabama Showcase

September 17, 2021 | Cross Country

Results

By: Brian Ogden, Associate Director/Communications

FLORENCE, Ala. – Mary Beth Woodward dropped nearly 30 seconds of her lifetime best in the 5K on Friday to help carry Mississippi State to an eighth-place finish at the North Alabama Invitational.

Woodward was MSU's top finisher, crossing the line in 18:18.11 to place 49th. Ava Weems and Emma Hossack were not far behind. Weems placed 53rd with a run of 18:25.10. Hossack, in her MSU debut, clocked in at 18:27.11 for a 54th-place finish.

"We're proud of the progress we're making as a team," head coach Chris Woods said. "Anytime we see personal bests, that's an encouraging sign. We still need to work on running with confidence. We have the talent to be a much better team, and we expect our athletes to rise to the standard that we have in place for them."

Ashley Melcherts and Tekara Aimer rounded out State's lineup, and both ran season-bests. Melcherts' 18:36.30 was 28 seconds quicker than her run two weeks ago. Aimer cut her time down by eight seconds, running 18:48.80.

For more information on the Bulldog track and field program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateTF" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Women's Individual Results (5K)

49. Mary Beth Woodward, 18:18.11
53. Ava Weems, 18:25.10
54. Emma Hossack, 18:27.11
63. Ashley Melcherts, 18:36.30
70. Tekara Aimer, 18:48.80

Women's Team Results

1. Ole Miss, 20
2. Lipscomb, 90
3. Alabama, 126
4. Kennesaw State, 155
5. Samford, 160
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8. Mississippi State, 258