SHAWNEE – Emma Downing led the Bison with a first-place finish in the 2021 season-opening meet on Saturday morning, posting a time of 11:30.29 on the 2-mile course among a field of 69 runners. Oklahoma Baptist took the home event's top spot as they lead all participating teams with 29 points off a 1-3-4-10-11 finish.
Downing picks up where she left off last season, bringing home her third consecutive first-place finish and besting her time of 11:34.45 at the previous season invitational.
Junior Kayla McGruder placed third as the second Bison finisher, posting a time of 11:55.97, while Kaylen King took fourth with a time of 11:57.04. Freshmen Lauren Robinson and Addison Brooks placed 10th (12:19:45) and 11th (12:19.66), respectively.
Freshman Sophia Strange rounded up OBU's placings in the top-20, finishing 20th with a time of 12:53.31.
Others who ran for OBU were: Zoee Weaver, Kailey Henry, Caitlin Mertz, Berkley Price, Allie Morton, Alexzandria Jaimz, Maddie St. Cyr, and Addie O'Connor.
The Bison will return to competition Sept. 18 as they travel to Joplin, Missouri for the MSSU Southern Stampede.
