Spartans Finish 11th at NCAA Championships

Nov. 24, 2008

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Michigan State women's cross country team ran to a tie for 11th place on Monday (Nov. 24) afternoon at the NCAA Championships. Seniors Nicole Bush and Lisa Senakiewich earned All-America honors by placing seventh and 21st, respectively. Washington won the title with four runners placing in the top four.

"I felt like we really raced well as a team," said director of track & field and cross country Walt Drenth. "We felt we ran with a good sense of purpose today. So, we're pretty happy with the way things turned out."

Bush's time of 20:08 was the fastest ever by a Spartan in the NCAA Championships 6K distance. Senakiewich's time of 20:34 was good for 21st place overall.

"For Nicole and Lisa to both be All-Americans was a great way for them to cap off their cross country seasons," Drenth said. "I'm really proud of them. Lisa ran as well today as she ran all year and Nicole did great as well. "

For Bush, it was her second All-America honor, while it was the first for Senakiewich.

Junior Emily MacLeod (21:09) and sophomore Emily Langenberg (21:24) were the number three and four finishers for MSU, taking 72nd and 98th, respectively. Senior Sarah Price rounded out the top five for the Spartans with a time of 21:46.

Also competing for Michigan State were sophomore Carlie Green (21:47) and junior Becky McCormack (21:52).

Just one Big Ten team, Illinois who placed 10th, finished ahead of MSU.

"The Big Ten is a great conference and we knew we were one of the best teams in the conference all year," Drenth said. "We weren't surprised to finish better than the conference meet today. Being a part of a great conference gives you a sense of where you can go at nationals."

MSU has now placed in the top-15 at the NCAA Championships in seven of the last 10 years.