FARGO, N.D. - The North Dakota State women's cross country team will head to Peoria, Ill. for the NCAA Midwest Regional on Saturday, Nov. 13.  The six-kilometer race will begin at 11 a.m. at Newman Golf Course.  The Bison are led by freshman Heidi Peterson, a second team All-Summit League selection and league Newcomer of the Year.

The top two teams and the top four individuals not on a qualifying team will advance to the NCAA Championships on Saturday, Nov. 20 in Terre Haute, Ind. 

No. 13 Iowa State is the top-ranked team in the region.  No. 20 Minnesota, No. 23 Oklahoma State and No. 24 Tulsa will also compete on Saturday.

The Midwest Region encompasses nine states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.  The region includes schools from 10 conferences, including the Atlantic10, Big 12, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Conference-USA, Horizon League, Mid-American, Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, and Summit League, as well as one D-I Independent.

At last year's Midwest Regional, Brittany Gigstead led a contingent of three Bison athletes.  She placed 99th, while Hannah McAllister and Jordan Krahn were 132nd and 134th, respectively.