Reina, Werner And Belbina Lead Weekend Charge
Riverside Invitational Results | Southern Stampede Results
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The 12th-ranked Arkansas women’s cross country team saw much success this weekend as the Razorbacks raced to first-place team finishes in each of its competitions at the Riverside Invitational (5K and 6K) and the Missouri Southern Stampede (5K).
Springdale native Valerie Reina kicked off the charge, pacing the Riverside 6K group to victory as the second-best overall performer in the event. The returning All-SEC and All-Region runner showcased her leadership, motivating newcomers Abby Gray and Carina Viljoen to top-five finishes which led to the team’s eventual triumph.
Fellow All-Region returners Nikki Hiltz and Kelsey Schrader rounded out Arkansas’ first five with all seven Hogs, including Rachel Nichwitz and Logan Bishop crossing the finish among the top-40 fastest of the day.
“Valerie took over the lead role for the team in the 6K and guided her teammates to the win a little at the expense of her own time,” head coach Lance Harter said. “She truly showed her selflessness for the team. The races gave a great look at our depth and the 6K along with the 5K proved it will be hard to figure out our top 12, let alone our top seven.”
Freshman Taylor Werner picked up right where Reina left off, controlling the Riverside 5K race from start to finish. The young standout for Ste. Genevieve Missouri was the lone runner to post a sub-17 minute time in the competition, besting the runner-up by almost 25 seconds.
Werner was joined in the Razorback top-five by Therese Haiss (second), Sydney Brown (fourth), Madeleine Reed (seventh) and Grace Taylor (20th). Micah Huckabee, also a member of that crew placed 28th overall.
“Taylor had a phenomenal day,” Harter said. “She really took control of the 5K at Riverside and is making a solid case to be part of our elite seven down the line.”
The Razorbacks also exerted their dominance at the Southern Stampede as sophomore Safee Belbina raced to a first-place finish among D-I competitors.
Arkansas’ entire top-five including, Emily Jeacock, Katie Adams, Sabrina Herrmann and Kristen Larkan placed inside the top 10.
With two away meets in the books Arkansas will shift its focus to a home stand, racing next at the 28th Annual Chile Pepper Festival on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Riverside Invitational 6K Team Results (Top Three)
1. Arkansas – 33 (2-3-4-8-16)
2. Cal Poly – 65 (1-6-9-24-25)
3. Cal Coast Track Club – 69 (5-10-17-18-19)
Arkansas Results – Riverside 6K (Overall Finishes)
2. Valerie Reina – 20:27.30
3. Abby Gray – 20:27.40
4. Carina Viljoen – 20:30.60
8. Nikki Hiltz – 20:35.10
17. (16 scoring) Kelsey Schrader – 20:51.40
24. (23 scoring) Rachel Nichwitz – 21:01.10
40. (38 scoring) Logan Bishop – 21:23.30
Riverside Invitational 5K Team Results (Top Three)
1. Arkansas – 28 (1-2-4-6-15)
2. Biola – 63 (5-8-9-19-22)
2. Cal Poly Pomona – 94 (12-13-17-24-28)
Arkansas Results – Riverside 5K (Overall Finishes)
1. Taylor Werner – 16:48.60
2. Therese Haiss – 17:13.30
4. Sydney Brown – 17:24.30
7. (6 scoring) Madeleine Reed – 17:48.30
20. (15 scoring) Grace Taylor – 18:19.70
28. (20 scoring) Micah Huckabee – 18:27.20
Southern Stampede D1 5K Team Results
1. Arkansas – 21 (1-3-4-5-8)
2. Missouri State – 34 (2-6-7-9-10)
Arkansas Results – Southern Stampede 5K (D1 Overall Finishes)
1. Safee Belbina – 17:53.13
3. Emily Jeacock – 18:13.07
4. Katie Adams – 18:24.19
5. Sabrina Herrmann – 18:28.19
8. Kristen Larkan – 19:00.23
2016 Cross Country Schedule
Thurs, Sept. 1 – Cowboy Duals (Stillwater, Okla.) | 1st of 4
Sat, Sept. 17 – Riverside Invitational (Riverside, Calif.) 8:30 a.m. | 6K, 1st of 20 / 5K, 1st of 20
Sat, Sept. 17 – Southern Stampede (Joplin, Mo.) 9:30 a.m. | 5K D-I, 1st of 2
Sat, Oct. 1 – Chile Pepper Festival (Agri Park) 9:45 a.m.
Sat, Oct. 15 – Pre-Nationals (Terre Haute, Ind.) 10:35 a.m.
Fri, Oct. 28 – SEC Championship (Agri Park) 10:00 a.m.
Fri, Nov. 11 – NCAA South Central Regional (Agri Park) 11:00 a.m.
Sat, Nov. 19 – NCAA Championship (Terre Haute, Ind.) 11:00 a.m.
Bold denotes a home event.
For more information on Arkansas track and field including in-meet updates, follow @RazorbackTF on Twitter.
