Cross Country Women Win Mid-States Invitational

October 17, 2004

The Oklahoma Baptist University women's cross country team won the NAIA Mid-States Invitational Friday without the services of national champion Mirriam Kaumba, who took the race off.

OBU won that 19-team meet by 25-points, besting the top Region VI squads, including No. 23 Southern Nazarene, as well as No. 21 Mid-America Nazarene out of Kansas.

Sixth-ranked OBU placed four runners in the Top 10 of that major meet, including freshmen twins Kelsey and Katie Engstrom. Kelsey was fifth at 19:20.54 and Katie in eighth at 19:26.8. Also shining for OBU were Kyta Ferrer in ninth at 19:32.48 and Becka Brock in 10th at 19:35.78. Sarah Hale rounded out the scoring in 41st in 20:41.25.

Also for OBU, Chandra Huckabay was 44th at 20:45 and Kendra Ray was 63rd at 21:06. OBU also sent Katy Rader (22:03) and Heather McNeil (22:41).

The No. 24 Bison were fourth at Mid-States behind No. 14 Doane, No. 13 Lindenwood and No. 9 Mid-America Nazarene, but well ahead of Wayland Baptist, Oklahoma Christian and three other Region VI teams.

Junior Daniel Ellis finished fourth with a time of 25:46. Landon Willets was also a top 10 finisher, taking eighth in 26:04. Theron Stolzfus was 27th at 26:53, Cole Tunnell was 40th at 27:32 and Josiah White rounded out the scoring in 49th at 27:45. Also for OBU, David Matuschak was 59th at 27:59 and Jacob Wright was 61st at 28:06.

Nathan Battershell turned in a 28:18 time.

OBU returns to action at Oklahoma Christian on Friday.