FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu September 2, 2016 Walker second in opening meet at SDSMT MSUB Cross Country on Facebook | MSUB Cross Country on ISSUU | Results
The MSUB women’s cross country team opened their season at the South Dakota Mines Invitational.
MSUB senior Ali Walker finishes as the runner-up during the opening meet of the season in Rapid City, S.D. RAPID CITY, S.D. –Ali Walker was just five seconds off the winning time as the senior from Park City, Utah, led the Yellowjackets during the women’s three mile run at the South Dakota Mines Invitational Friday. Walker crossed the finish line in 18:28.90 for her first event competing in a Montana State University Billings uniform. The transfer student from the University of Wyoming paced the MSUB effort through the race, finishing strong for a runner-up result in the first event of the season for the Yellowjacket squad. “Ali ran a good competitive race,” MSUB head coach Dave Coppock said. “She and the top runner from Mines were neck-and-neck for almost the entire race. They battled all the way to the finish line which was really exciting to see.” MSUB senior Rio Frame placed 11th in 19:56.30. Just behind her was freshman Nikki Aiken finishing 13th in 20:01.00. Junior Bailey Bomar placed fourth for the team and 23rd overall with a time of 20:38.90.
“I thought it was a good opener for the women’s team,” Coppock continued. “At this race we were focusing on running a good even pace. They may have may have gone out a little too slow at the start of the race, but in the last mile the team passed a lot of runners, which is a good thing and something we can work on.” Freshman Lydia Foster completed the top-5 for MSUB. In her first collegiate competition, the native of Gillette, Wyo., finished 26th in 21:15.70. Ella McKenzie (22:19.30) and Sarah Beatty (22:59.70) concluded the results for the Yellowjackets. Adeline Straatmeyer from South Dakota Mines won the event in 18:23.10. Gillette College won the team competition with a score of 31. South Dakota Mines placed second with 55 points. Chadron State was third at 63 points with MSUB fourth totaling 75 points. THE BUZZ: Walker named the St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Meet…MSUB averaged a team time of 20:04.16. UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets are in Spearfish, S.D., for the Yellow Jacket Invitational on Friday, Sept. 9.
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