Sept. 18, 2004
LINCOLN, Neb.-- University of Missouri cross country teams had an impressive Saturday at the Nebraska Woody Greeno Invitational. First, the No. 12 nationally-ranked women's team took the team title with an strikingly low score of 24 points, led by freshman Maddie Schueler and without the efforts of All-American Amanda Bales and All-Region senior Serena Ramsey. The men's team sent their "B" squad and still finished fourth of six teams, including a win over Big 12 foe, Nebraska.
"I was very happy by how our both our teams raced today," said Jared Wilmes, Head Cross Country Coach. "Our women's team had a phenomenal day, and for the youth we sent in the men's race, I was very happy by how we raced. Maddie [Schueler] raced hard and was our first finisher and ran a great race for her freshman year."
Schueler (Louisville, Ky.) finished in second place in the six-kilometer race for the Mizzou women in 22 minutes, all part of five Tigers finishing in the top eight. Senior Jill Petersen (O'Fallon, Mo.) finished fifth in 22 minutes, 24 seconds. Impressive efforts were made by sophomores Kate Greer (Marshalltown, Iowa) and Katy Bundy (Ballwin, Mo.), placing sixth and seventh, respectively.
"Kate and Katy had maybe the best races of their careers today," Wilmes continued. "In the heat of the morning, they really pulled through."
Rounding out the Tigers' scoring was junior Valerie Lauver who finished eighth in 22:59, her first race back with the Tigers after being in an automobile accident.
"It was great to have Valerie back," said Wilmes. "You can tell she's back in race condition."
For the men's team a fourth-place finish was nice considering that their top runners were back in Columbia for the day. The "B" team scored better than Nebraska and Creighton's full squad. Another freshman, Billy Bell (Chesterfield, Mo.) led the way with a 21st-place showing, cutting the tape in the eight-kilometer race in 27:04.
"I was considerably happy with the way Billy ran his race," Wilmes said. "He was back in 150th place at one point, but fought his way, steadily moving up to where he finished."
Traditionally 800-meter runners, sophomore Tipper O'Brien (Kirkwood, Mo.) and Neville Miller (St. Louis, Mo.) took the next two scoring spots for the Tigers, placing 30th and 36th, respectively. The next spot belonged to redshirt freshman Nate Smith (Columbia, Mo.) who took 37th place in 27:54 in his first collegiate race. Carl Specking III (St. Peters, Mo.) rounded out the men's scoring, placing 46th.
The Tigers next travel in two weeks to the Notre Dame Invitational. For complete results from this race, visit mutigers.com.