LADY BEARCATS CLAIM SBU INVITATIONAL

SBU'S SHOWLER TOP COLLEGIATE INdivIDUAL

September 3 , 2004

Women's Results / Men's Results / Pictures

Bolivar, MO. ... In the fourth annual SBU Bearcat Invitational, the Southwest Baptist University Lady Bearcats claimed the 2004 title wtih a score of 38 and finished 16-points ahead of second place Emporia State. The Bearcats took fourth place with a total of 101 points. This was the first meet that the SBU cross country runners have ran in since that fatal car accident in April. Five of the six runners still at SBU ran in the meet that were involved in the accident.

SBU junior Christine Showler posted a 19:21 time in the 5k race as she was the first collegiate runner to cross the finish line. Just two spots behind her was sophomore teammate Amy Broadhurst with a time of 20:03 (4th). Freshman Lisa Hicks came in 11th place (20:44) while Erika Anderson was 16th (21:04). Jenny Doke had a time of 21:14 to finish in 18th. Also running in their first collegiate race was Alyssa Maggart (31st - 22:20) and Kristin Dickerson (36th - 23:00).

Unattached runner Kate Hamera won the race with a time of 18:48. Hamera is a former all-American from the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Following SBU and Emporia was Drury (62), Missouri-Rolla (75), and Lincoln University (117).

Taking the 2004 men's title was the University of Missouri-Rolla with 42 points. They finished just nine points in front of Emporia State. SBU took fourth place.

Senior Austin Bunn had the highest finish for the Bearcats with a 12th place finish (27:05). Tom Miner came in 23rd (27:49) followed by Cory McElhaney (26th - 27:59), Brian Winckler (27th - 27:59), Brandon Sherrer (39th - 29:11), and Andy Joggerst (43rd - 29:35).

SBU alumni Mark Stenbeck and Jon Clemence took first and second place respectively. Stenbeck set a new course record of 25:26 and Clemence finished in 25:40.

SBU will run again on Saturday, September 18th, at Missouri Southern in the Southern Stampede in Joplin.