Beavers take first at ISU Pre-Nationals Invite

Saturday, October 15

Terra Haute, IN

TBA

Oregon State

Indiana State Pre-Nationals Invitational

Photo by: Scobel Wiggins/Oregon State Athletics

October 15, 2016 | Women's Cross Country

6K White Results Open Results Photo gallery

By: Athletic Communications

TERRA HAUTE, Ind. – The Oregon State cross country team placed first on Saturday in the 25-team White pool at the Indiana State Pre-National Invitational at Terra Haute.

The 70-team Invitational, divided into the Blue and White pools, was held on the challenging 6,000-meter LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, the site of this year's NCAA Championships. The races were the same distance as NCAA postseason events.

The Beavers compiled a team total of 114 to edge Wake Forest (131) of the Atlantic Coast Conference for the team championship. The Demon Deacons were 30 points ahead after 4,000 meters, but the Beavers had an impressive stretch run, erased that advantage by passing numerous opponents, and ended up winning by 17 points.

Senior Emily Weber was OSU's top finisher, taking second place in the 168-women field in 20:56, just seven seconds behind winner AnneMarie Schwantz of Fresno State. Weber led with about 300 meters remaining but Schwantz, an international standout who ran 4:15 in the 1500 meters last spring, overtook Weber on the uphill leading to the finish line.

"Emily's performance was one of the top three in the history of our program," OSU coach Kelly Sullivan said.

OSU's other scorers were junior Kristiane Width, finishing 12th with a time of 21:34; sophomore Juliana Mount (19, 21:43); freshman Lexi Reed (42, 22:15), and freshman Sara Christianson (44, 22:17).

Seniors Samantha Lewis (95, 23:02)) and Morgan Anderson (111, 23:15) also ran, but were not included in the team score.

"It was a good win for us today winning the White section against an impressive field," Sullivan said. "The field we were in was very good," and OSU defeated six regionally-ranked programs (Nevada, UTEP, Oakland, Miami of Ohio, Wichita State, Central Michigan) in winning its race.

Junior Kala Kopecek ran in the open race and placed 34th overall in 23:13.

Saturday's race was the final invitational of the season. The Beavers will return to action on Oct. 28 at the Pacific-12 Conference Championships at Tucson, hosted by Arizona at the Randolph North Golf Course.

For more information on the Oregon State track and field program, follow the Beavers on Facebook at /OSUTrackCrossCountry, or on Twitter at@BeaverTrackXC

ISU Pre-Nationals Invitational

WHITE RACE: Oregon State 114, Wake Forest 131, Nevada 166, UTEP 182, Oakland 182, Miami (Ohio) 236, Wichita State 237, Central Michigan 241, Bowling Green 254, TCU 279, Murray State 298, Indiana State 299, Gonzaga 300, Utah Valley 301, Quinnipiac 329, Western Michigan 367, Nebraska 381, UC Davis 399, Liberty 410, IUPUI 415m Cincinnati 420, Ohio 516, UMKC 572, Morehead State 606, Drake 632.

OSU FINISHERS: 2. Emily Weber, 20:56. 12, Kristiane Width, 21:34. 19. Juliana Mount, 21:43. 42. Lexi Reed, 22:15. 44. Sara Christianson, 22:17. 95. Samantha Lewis, 23:02. 111. Morgan Anderson, 23:15.

OPEN RACE: 34. Kala Kopecek, 23:13.

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