Feb. 18, 2006

NEW YORK CITY - Baylor freshman Erin Bedell (Plano, Texas) finished fifth in the junior 6K at the 2006 USA Cross Country Championships and World Cross Country Team Trials Saturday at at Van Courtlandt Park, earning her second straight trip to the world championships.

In snowy conditions, Bedell led for much of the race until her recent illness began to take its toll. She battled to the end and held on to grab one of the coveted top six spots. Nicole Blood of Gansevoort, N.Y., won the title with a time of 20:45, while Bedell was only three seconds behind at 20:48.

The top six finishers in the event are chosen to represent the United States at the 2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships April 1-2 in Fukuoka, Japan.

Bedell competed on the U.S. team at the 2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Saint Galmier, France. She was the team's second finisher and placed 28th overall.