Women’s cross country finish third at Bradley Invite

The women’s cross country team overcame an unpredictable first meet at the Bradley Invitational. The conditions were less than ideal, and despite losing one of their top runners mid race, they were able to perform in Peoria, Illinois.

“I was pleased with the first meet. We are now awaiting the results and we’re going to get beat by Iowa. Now Iowa is one of the best teams in the country,” said ISU women’s cross country head coach, John Gartland. “We had a very close battle with Bradley. They are going to be slightly ahead of us in the scoring. We did beat Illinois State, they were picked number one in our conference and Bradley was picked number two. So I feel like we competed well against a bunch of good teams.”

The lady Sycamores battled with Big Ten powers Iowa and Missouri Valley Conference favorites Bradley and Illinois State early as senior Jessica Zangmeister and sophomore Nicole Lucas put themselves in the front pack.

“Zangmeister led us today as I figured she would,” said Gartland, “She ran really strong, but our junior Kali Dalton and senior Hanna Mercer also did a great job. They grouped well together ran together in the middle of the race, that was great,”

Zangmeister earned a top ten finish in the final standings, finishing 7th in 17:33.

“I hoped to get top 10 today, but I was proud that I was able to do that and have my team mates right behind,” said Zangmeister.

She was followed by Dalton, 12th in 18:02, Lucas, 13th in 18:03, and Mercer, 5th in 18:04. Junior Alexa McFadden closed the door on Sycamore scoring, as she was 24th in 18:33.

“Unfortunately Kylee Thacker was not able to finish the race, but McFadden was able to step up today and take that fifth spot,” said Gartland.

The large group of Sycamores competing then followed with junior Leeann Michl, 26th in 18:44; sophomore Amy Hicks, 38th in 19:12; sophomore Lindy Jones, 41st in 19:17; freshman Emily Cotterman, 53rd in 19:59; senior Serena Simeoli, 55th in 20:09; junior Emily Mercer, 59th in 20:30; sophomore Rachael Johnson, 68th in 21:02; sophomore Shelby Sands, 70th in 21:09; sophomore Kelly Steffen, 72nd in 21:31; junior Shelby Higginbottom, 74th in 21:46, freshmen Lizzy Herron, 76th in 22:05, junior Macey Black, 79th in 22:25, junior Amy Fanella, 85th in 22:55; junior Stacia Weatherford, 88th in 23:40; and junior Brittany Housel 89th in 23:47.

“That was important for us to work together today,” said Zangmeister, “So we are off to a great start. This was just what we needed, it was enough competition to give us something to for work with, It was just the right amount of competition this year,”

“We’ve got a ways to go to get better, but this is a great start here today against really good competition.” said Gartland.

The Sycamores now turn their attention to the Indiana Itercollegiates where they will compete against the best in the state.