Owls Edge Kansas To Win Rim Rock Invitational

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Women's Cross Country

vs NCAA Championships

Nov 22

TBD

Oct. 4, 2014

Rim Rock Invitational Results (PDF)

LAWRENCE, Kansas - The Rice Owls women's cross country team backed up their newest No. 3 USTFCCCA South Central Regional ranking by winning their third team title in as many meets, finishing first at Saturday's morning's Rim Rock Invitational.

Rice edged out host Kansas (ranked No. 7 in USTFCCA Midwest Region) by one point, 37-38, to win their third team championship in a season for the first time since the 2007 campaign.

The Owls were led by Cali Roper, Madison McLellan and Katie Jensen, who finished 1-2-3 for the second time this season. Roper won her third consecutive individual title by crossing the finish line with a time of 21:35 in the 6,000m race. McLellan followed with her highest individual result, placing second with a mark of 21:40. Jensen notched her third consecutive top-three finish with a time of 21:58.

"What an exciting race, I was just very pleased on a number of fronts," Rice women's cross country head coach Jim Bevan said. "Our top three runners ran a controlled 3K and then moved away and ran together, breaking away and looking great. It was the first 6K race for six of our ladies and just the third for Callie and Katie. It was great to see the group respond and be strong over the last portion of the race. Cali, Madi and Katie looked so good running together up front. It was a one point win and every placing was valuable."

Other Owl finishers on Saturday were Elsa Racasan (15th-22:54.0), Ellen Diemert (16th-22:54.6), Audrey Wassef (19th-23:04), Christina Wassef (20th-23:05) and Allie Schaich (22nd-23:08).

"Our fourth and fifth runners (Elsa and Ellen) had to move up and pass a few people in the last mile knowing we were behind and they did it," Bevan said. "Our next group did an outstanding job as well. We did have a couple of dings with both Hannah and Abigail not at 100 percent. But we are thrilled with the win and now we need to keep improving for our next challenge in two weeks at Pre-Nationals."

Bevan said a few runners will participate at next weekend's HBU Invite but the Owls won't be competing as a team.

Team Results

1. Rice - 37 points

2. Kansas - 38 points

3. New Mexico St - 83 points

4. Cal St. Fullerton - 105 points

5. Grand Canyon - 143 points

6. Oral Roberts - 174 points

7. Missouri State - 185 points

Individual Results

1. Cali Roper - 21:35

2. Madison McLellan - 21:40

3. Katie Jensen - 21:58

15. Elsa Racasan - 22:54

16. Ellen Diemert - 22:54

19. Audrey Wassef - 23:04

20. Christina Wassef - 23:05

22. Allie Schaich - 23:08

-RiceOwls.com-

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