October 20, 2007

WINONA, Minn. - On a day that signifies a season nearing an end, the Beavers cross country team saw a glimpse of what the future holds at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Cross Country Championships in Winona, Minn.

“It is encouraging to see that the student-athletes that did the scoring for us were three freshmen, a spohomore, and a junior, so the future does look bright for us.” stated coach Craig Hougen after their seventh place finish at the meet. The Beavers have had freshman Staci Letourneau (White Bear Lake, Minn.), Brittany Becker (Grand Rapids, Minn.), and Kristi Buerkle (Forest lake, Minn.) be the first, second, and third runners across the line for the team respectively at every meet this season.

Letourneau saw herself in fourth place nearing the end of the meet but pushed herself pass a runner in the final 100 meters of the race to take third. “I usually don’t have the kick I had today, but I knew that it was the conference meet so I wanted to do the best I could.” commented Letourneau. “We are really excited about what she did today. She really got after it and showed that she is a great competitor.” remarked Hougen. Letourneau is the first Beaver to earn all conference since 2005 and is the highest finisher at the conference meet since Christa Pribula finished third in 2004.

Minnesota State University Moorhead who is ranked sixth in the North Central Regional and is tied for 25th in the nation took home the crown finishing with a score of 50. Defending champions Wayne State gave the Dragons a run for their money finishing five points behind the Dragons at 55. The Beavers were 12 points behind sixth place Northern State.

Bemidji State will next be in action when they travel to Vermillion, S.D. to compete at the NCAA Divison II North Central Regional on Saturday November 3rd with the meet scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.