Boise State Women Finish 11th at NCAA National Cross Country Championships

Hats off to a superb performance by the Boise State women's cross country team.  The Broncos finished 11th today at the NCAA National Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana.  Emma Bates was in the lead pack nearly the entire race, and finished third, following up a second-place finish a year ago.

Kate Avery of Iona was the leader for the majority of the race, and opened up a lead in excess of 15 seconds.  But Bates tried to stay with her, and cut the gap at the finish line., with Avery crossing in 19:31.6  Sarah Disanza of Wisconsin was second with a time of 19:35.9 and Bates finished in 19:44.5.

Marisa Howard of Boise State was 28th, while Emma Hyyppa was #114, Tessa Murray 147th, Sarah Hastings #206, and Gracie Tostenson #224. 

Boise State Swimming & Diving Team Performing Well in Texas

Sam Wicks set two school records as the Boise State swimming and diving team has set five NCAA "B Standard" times at the Art Adamson Invitational in College Station, Texas.   Wicks finished fifth in the 200-yard individual medley with a school record 1:58.83, smashed another school record in the 100 backstroke (52.92) to finish fifth, and posted a time of 22.93 in the 50 freestyle, then finished ninth in the "B" final. 

Aoyma recorded a B Standard time of 22.75 in the 50 freestyle, and finished 14th overall.  She followed that up with another B Standard in the 100 butterfly (52.06), and finished third in the finals.

"We had an outstanding day today, with our strength showing across the board over the seven events today," said Boise State head coach Kristin Hill. "Several women had tough turnarounds with back-to-back events and a lot of racing, but most were well-prepared and rose to the occasion. Brittany and Sam both posted times that should be fast enough to be invited to NCAA Championships, which was our plan for them this week. We are excited for our final day of competition tomorrow."

Freshman Morgan McClure (4:17.71) and sophomore Whitney Jorgensen (4:18.83) each set NCAA "B" marks in finishing 10th and 11th, respectively, in the 400 individual medley.  Harper recorded another B Standard for Boise State, finishing 12th in the B final of the 100 breaststroke (1:02.06).

The Bronco 200 freestyle relay team of Brittany Aoyama, Jessica Bottelberghe, Katelyn Martin and Wicks finished fourth, while the 200 medley relay team of Wicks, Heather Harper, Aoyama and Katelyn Marth was fifth, the 400 medley team of Wicks, Harper, Aoyama and Bottelberghe finished sixth, and the 800 freestyle relay team of Aoyama, Martin, Amelia Draney and Bottelberghe was also sixth.

The Bronco divers competed at the Wildcat Diving Invitational in Tucson, Arizona, with senior Erin Kohlbeck finishing sixth in the three-meters.

Action concludes today in Texas and Arizona.