Nov. 23, 2003
Complete Release of Meet Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Season Performance ListDownload Free Acrobat Reader
Meet Info from Northern Iowa | NCAA Cross Country Website
Meet: NCAA Championships
Location: Waterloo, Iowa (Irv Warren Memoral Golf Course)
Host: Northern Iowa University
Date: Monday, Novmember 24th, 2003
Time/Length: Women: 6k, 12:15pm
Updated Weather Info
Nov. 19, 2003
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's cross country team has advanced to the NCAA Championships as a team and will compete this upcoming Monday in Waterloo, Iowa. Ranked No. 20 in the nation in the latest FinishLynx coaches poll, Missouri automatically qualified for this year's championships by finishing in second place in last weekend's NCAA Midwest Regional Championships.
This year's appearance will be Mizzou's eighth in nine years and their second consecutive. The top two teams in each of the NCAA's nine regions automatically qualify with an additional 13 at-large, chosen by committee.
The Tigers had an outstanding performance at the Midwest Regional as four lady Tigers earned All-Region honors for their top-15 performances. Sophomore Amanda Bales (Bettendorf, Iowa) won the individual title and was the first to do so for Missouri since 1997. Juniors Jill Petersen and Serena Ramsey along with sophomore Valerie Lauver also earned the All-Region honor. The team finished three points behind Big 12 foe Nebraska who won the regional crown.
Last year in the NCAA Championships, the Lady Tigers finished 16th in the nation to match their No. 16 ranking to begin the race. Bales, then a freshman, lead the Tigers with a 38th overall finish. Lauver was right behind Bales finishing in 39th.
"Obviously we're excited about the opportunity to race in this year's NCAA Championships," said Jared Wilmes, Head Cross Country Coach. "I think with as many front runners as we have; we have an opportunity to move up the standings. I think it's going to be exciting to watch Serena Ramsey and Jill Petersen, two runners who have greatly improved over this season."
Northern Iowa is the host of this year's championships with the races taking place at Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course. The site was also host to the NCAA Pre-National race earlier this year where the women had a strong showing all-around. Starting time for the women's race is slated for 12:15 p.m. The weather is expected to be cold, around 27 degrees for a high temperature, high winds, and a 40% chance of flurries.
Results for Monday's race will be available as soon as possible at www.mutigers.com. The race will also be televised on Fox Sports Net on a tape-delay, Wednesday, December 3rd, at 2:00 p.m.