AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State women's cross country team captured their fourth-consecutive regional title today at the 2013 NCAA Division I Midwest Regional. The Cyclones placed five runners in the top-15 en route to scoring just 39 team points.
The women became the first team in Midwest Regional Championship history (since 1997) to win four-consecutive titles.
The Cyclones were led again by sophomore Crystal Nelson. Nelson notched her fourth-straight top-10 finish, winning the 6-kilometer race in 20 minutes and 12 seconds.
Freshman Bethanie Brown was the second Cyclone to cross the line, placing third in 20:24. Perez Rotich (10th), Katy Moen (12th) and Samantha Bluske (13th) also scored for Iowa State, finishing in 20:40, 20:46 and 20:48, respectively.
Bluske continued her road back with an impressive performance today in just her second race of the season. The team co-captain was sidelined for the majority of the season with a stress fracture.
All five scoring runners for the Cyclones earned All-Region accolades.
Iowa State women's cross country head coach Andrea Grove-McDonough was glad her team came in with the right attitude, despite being favored coming into the race.
"I knew Minnesota would run well. They are nationally a top-20 team and did well in their Big Ten meet, which you can't take too lightly," Grove-McDonough said. "I was happy with how our girls handled themselves in the race today."
Grove-McDonough also noted that the women felt a little more adrenaline than usual, running in front of their home crowd.
"I think some the girls got a little excited because they were at home." Grove-McDonough said. "They really wanted to show everyone what they've got in front of their fans."
Team Results
1. Iowa State - 39 pts
2. Minnesota - 59 pts
3. Oklahoma State - 192 pts
4. Southern Illinois - 217 pts
5. Kansas - 218 pts
Individual Results
1. Crystal Nelson, IOWA STATE - 20:12; 3. Bethanie Brown, IOWA STATE - 20:24; 10. Perez Rotich, IOWA STATE - 20:40; 12. Katy Moen, IOWA STATE - 20:46; 13. Samantha Bluske, IOWA STATE - 20:48; 54. Ejiro Okoro, IOWA STATE - 21:43; 76. Margaret Gannon, IOWA STATE - 21:52
Next Time Out
With the victory, Iowa State advances to the next Saturday's NCAA Championships held in Terre Haute, Ind.
