SMU’s Silje Fjortoft Wins NCAA South Central Regional Cross Country Championships

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WACO, Texas (SMU) – Silje Fjortoft won the gold medal at the NCAA South Central Regional Championships on Saturday in Waco, Texas. She led the race from the start and finished the 6k race 26 seconds ahead of the runner-up from Rice with a time of 19:59.1, despite windy weather conditions.

Kristine Eikrem-Engeset (15th) and Mary Alenbratt (21st) both posted top-25 finishes with times of 21:19.9 and 21:36.6 respectively. Monika Korra (21:57.5) crossed the finish line in 30th place. Freshman Kajsa Barr also placed in the top half of the competition finishing 61st out of 149 runners with a time of 22:45.9.

The Mustangs had a top-five finish for the first time in SMU history, beating out Rice and host Baylor, to take fourth place out of 23 teams. Whether or not SMU advances as a team to the national meet will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 13.

Silje Fjortoft has been assured a spot to compete in the NCAA Championships on Nov. 21 in Terre Haute, Ind.