After the best performance of their season at the Big 12 Championship, the ISU women’s cross country team enters the Midwest Regional on Nov. 14 without 2013 all-Americans Crystal Nelson and Bethanie Brown.

Both runners are healthy, but Grove-McDonough said the purpose of resting the duo is to make sure they are ready for Nationals.

Nelson has shaped the best and most consistent season of her cross country career. She entered her first race of the season ranked No. 12 nationally. She finished third at the Griak Invitational, and then followed with consecutive first place performances at the Wisconsin Adidas Invitational and Big 12 Championship.

Nelson’s performances have helped jump to No. 2 in the individual rankings, and have helped Iowa State jump to No. 5 in the team rankings.

Sophomore Bethanie Brown finished 16th in her only event of the season. She spent the past month recovering from a tendinitis injury, and Grove-McDonough said that Brown appears to be in great shape.

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