Results

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Bethel University women's cross country team competed at the St Kate's Invite on Saturday. The race was a short-course 4000-meter event hosted by St. Catherine University. The Royals were led by a second-place individual finish by Sophomore Annika Halverson (15:03). She ran a strong second half of the race to pull away from the main pack of runners. The overall winner of the race was Kimber Meyer from Macalester College. Kimber was the individual Champion at the Roy Griak Invite two weeks ago. "I thought Annika did a good job by challenging herself early in the race" said head coach Joe Stephens.

"It was a good day for her to finish just behind the champion from the Roy Griak Invite."

The Bethel women also had a great showing from Junior Natalie Kessler, who rebounded from a rough race two weeks ago, to earn a sixth place individual finish (15:28).

"It was great to see Natalie come back so strong," coach Stephens said. "I know she was nervous, but she responded well by pushing from the gun. I only wish the race would've been a full 6000-meter distance, because I think she could've finished higher yet."

Rounding out the Bethel top-5 were Sophomore Lindsay Johnson in 25^th (16:11), Sophomore Emmy Inwards in 33^rd (16:24) and Freshman Rebekah Schulte in 36^th (16:28).
Overall the team finished in fourth place, ahead of Hamline and St Catherine.

"I have been pleased with what I've seen in practice during the last two weeks," coach Stephens explained. "We are starting to see some younger runners develop through the ranks. This is a great sign for the future of Bethel cross country."

The Royals return to action next Saturday the 17^th, at the NCAA pre-national meet hosted by UW-Oshkosh.