XC: Cyclone Women Clinch 6th-Straight NCAA Bid

PEORIA, Ill. – Sub-freezing temperatures had little effect on the No. 5-ranked Iowa State women’s cross country team, as the Cyclones ran to their fifth-consecutive regional title at the Newman Golf Course. The Cyclones captured the title on all-region performances from Crystal Nelson, Katy Moen, Erin Hooker and Perez Rotich.

The ISU women captured the title, holding the race lead for the final three-kilometers of the race. The Cyclones ran patiently over the early parts of the contest, moving up and knocking off competitors en route to the team title.

Moen and Nelson ran as the team’s top-two finishers, crossing the line together fourth and fifth overall. The duo posted times of 20:15.7 and 20:15.8, respectively. Nelson and Moen ran conservatively, staying relaxed throughout the race.

Also earning All-Midwest accolades, Erin Hooker and Perez Rotich both notched top-15 individual finishes. Hooker and Rotich also ran together, crossing the line in the same time at 20:41.2, tying for 13th.

Sophomore Heidi Engelhardt rounded out the Cyclone scoring effort, crossing the line 30th overall with a time of 20:57.8.

Iowa State posted a 42.2-spread across scoring runners andwas the only team to place four runners among the top-15 individuals.

The Cyclones were without All-American Bethanie Brown in today’s race.

With the victory, the Iowa State women picked up two points over in-state rival Iowa in the CyHawk race.

Next Up

The Cyclone women solidified their bid to the NCAA Championships next Saturday in Terre Haute, Indiana. The championship berth marks the sixth-consecutive trip to NCAAs for the ISU women.

Team Results

1. Iowa State – 66
2. Minnesota – 125
3. Bradley – 175
4. Tulsa – 180
5. Oklahoma State – 191

Individual Resul

1) Courtney Frerichs, UMKC, 19:58.7; 4) Katy Moen, Iowa State, 20:15.7; 5) Crystal Nelson, Iowa State, 20:15.8; T13) Erin Hooker, Iowa State, 20:41.2; T13) Perez Rotich, Iowa State, 20:41.2; 30) Heidi Engelhardt, Iowa State, 20:57.8; 39) Colleen Riley, Iowa State, 21:03.1; 54) Julie Wiemerslage, Iowa State, 21:21.0