Seattle, Wash. --- Led by All-America performances from Amanda Montplaisir and MaKenna Thurston, Minnesota State finished 16th at the NCAA Division II national championship held in Seattle, Wash., this afternoon.

The Mavericks, who were making their first team appearance at nationals since the 1995-96 season, registered 416 points at this year's championship.  Adams State claimed the national title with 75 points.

Montplaisir, a senior from Buffalo, Minn., who was making her first appearance at the national meet, clocked in with a time of 20:53.4 on the 6K course at Chambers Creek Regional Park in University Place, Wash.  Her ninth-place finish is the best finish by a Minnesota State women's cross country runner since Jen Peck finished seventh in 1995-96. 

Thurston, a junior from Nicollet, Minn., was 17th with a time of 21:04.6.

Other Maverick individuals competing today included senior Mackenzie Gaherty (22:13.7), who finished in 119th place and sophomore Emily Cunningham (22.18.3), who placed 124th, Sophomore Makayla Bishop (23:37.0) was 217th, sophomore Alyssa Rauk (24:05.7) was 234th and sophomore Marissa Ellenbecker (24:22.1) was 217th.

The Mavericks, who are under the guidance of veteran head coach Jen Blue, were making their seventh appearance at the NCAA national championship meet.