COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Cross Country freshman Ginger Murnieks (Lee's Summit, Mo.) was named Co-Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, announced Tuesday by the league office. Murnieks finished first among freshman and fourth overall in last week's Missouri Cross Country Opener at LA Nickell Golf Course. Murnieks was one of Mizzou's eight finishers who placed within the top nine.

Murnieks is the first Mizzou athlete to earn Freshman of the Week honors in 2019 after a pair of Tigers received the award last season. Sophomore Mikayla Reed (Washington, Mo.) and sophomore Tori Findley (Blue Springs, Mo.) both earned SEC Freshman of the Week accolades after impressive performances early in the season last year.

Murnieks finished fourth overall at the Missouri Cross Country Opener, contributing to a dominating team performance that saw the Mizzou women collect eight of the top nine finishes in the 4K race. Murnieks finished in third place, posting a time of 14:01.26, which led all freshman in the race.

During her time at Lee's Summit West High School, Murnieks won the 2018 Missouri Cross Country Class 4 State Championship and also competed in the Nike Cross National Midwest regional championships. Following her outstanding senior season, Murnieks was named the 2018-19 Gatorade Missouri Girls Cross Country runner of the year.

Mizzou will race next on Saturday, Sept. 14 when they head to Vanderbilt University for the Commodore Classic. Mizzou's trip to Nashville will be followed by a return to Columbia for the Mizzou Cross Country Challenge which will serve as the opening meet at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course.

For all the latest on Mizzou Track & Field, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (MizzouTFXC).