Results

PALO ALTO, Calif. – North Dakota State sophomore Erin Teschuk registered a breakout performance at the 2014 Stanford Invitational on Saturday, racing to the fastest six-kilometer time in the history of NDSU women's cross country. Teschuk placed fifth overall and was third among collegians, completing the course in a blazing 21:02.
 
Teschuk cut 1 minute, 38 seconds off her time from the 2013 Stanford Invitational. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native beat the previous NDSU 6k best of 21:06 run by Brecca Wahlund at the 2012 NCAA Midwest Regional.
 
Teschuk, also an NCAA West Preliminary Rounds qualifier and Summit League champion in the 3,000m steeplechase in outdoor track, finished just 16 seconds behind Nike professional Alexa Efraimson.
 
Out of 330 runners in the meet, only four crossed the finish line before Teschuk. Two of those were professionals.
 
"I'm extremely proud of our women," said NDSU interim head coach Stevie Keller. "It's been an emotional week, and they came out here and competed really well. We have some excellent leaders on this team who really stepped up. It's great to see them run so well."
 
Senior Abbi Aspengren finished in 22:14 for 49th place overall, and sophomore Tarin Lachowitzer was 127th in 23:12. Track & field All-American Paige Stratioti took 153rd with a personal-best time of 23:26.
 
NDSU had a new, but familiar, face in its fifth position. Junior Ashley Heinze, a standout multi-event athlete and the Summit League 400m hurdles champion, ran her first career cross country race and finished in 23:33.
 
The Bison placed 12th out of 21 Division I teams at the meet. Stanford claimed the team title.
 
Teschuk and the Bison distance runners have been training under the guidance of new assistant coach Andrew Carlson, whom Keller was quick to give credit.
 
"Andrew has been a great addition to our program," said Keller. "His hard work and competitiveness have already raised the level of expectations for this team."
 
NDSU will race again next Saturday at the SDSU Classic held at Edgebrook Golf Course in Brookings, S.D., on Oct. 4.
 
NDSU Individual Results
 
5. Erin Teschuk                    21:02
49. Abbi Aspengren             22:14
127. Tarin Lachowitzer        23:12
153. Paige Stratioti              23:26
167. Ashley Heinze              23:33
261. Amy Andrushko          24:55
262. Megan Feyereisen        24:56