Women Finish Third at George Kyte Classic
Flagstaff, Ariz. - The Thunderbird women's cross country team opened their 2021 season with a third-place finish at the Geoge Kyte Classic at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, hosted by Northern Arizona University. This was the first time the women have raced since the 2019 Cross Country National Championships after their 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.
The 2.5-mile race featured 81 runners from NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA teams. Mesa took third place with 65 points out of all non-NCAA Division I teams in the open team scoring, beating out Pima CC (118 points) and Ottawa AZ (123). Embry Riddle (AZ) was first in the open team scoring with 26 points, while Fort Lewis College (CO) was second with 37 points.
Kate Brockman was the top Thunderbird finisher with a ninth-place effort and a time of 17:49. Makayla Engelhardt wasn't far behind as she finished in 11th (17:51). Story Alexander finished 15th (18:10), while Brooke Stradling (26th, 19:10) and Tanaeya Johnson (27th, 19:13) worked together to the finish line to round out the five scorers for Mesa.
"I was very pleased with what I saw out of the ladies today," says Head Women's Cross Country Coach Daniel Pescador. "It was a good opener and they stuck to the plan of working together throughout the race. I am looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish as the season progresses."
The T-Birds will travel to Prescott, Arizona next Saturday to compete in the Embry Riddle Invitational.
George Kyte Classic Final Results
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