CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | COMPLETE RESULTS | FLOTRACK COVERAGE | PHOTOS
FORT DODGE, Iowa – Storied program Lansing (Mich.) claimed its first NJCAA Division I Women’s Cross Country Championship title Saturday. A former powerhouse at the DII level, the Stars won their first national championship since 1995.
Freshman Kaitlin Beyer spearheaded Lansing’s victorious performance with a 10th place finish. The Carson City, Michigan, native came in with a time of 18 minutes, 43.28 seconds.
Joining Beyer with a top 20 placing was sophomore Kayla Kraft whose time of 19:06.77 was good enough for 16th place. Landing a pair of top 25 finishes were freshmen Taylor Thrush and Madison Slater. Thrush finished in 19:15.78 for 22nd and was directly followed by Madison Slater with a time of 19:17.95. The Stars’ other qualifying placement came from freshman Lydia Bumann and her 26th place 19:22.14.
For the second time in three years, an Iowa Central runner was the first to cross the finish line. Tritons freshman Leanne Pompeani posted a time of 17:21.58 to claim the individual title.
Defending individual champion Lydia Mato failed to defend her crown but earned a runner-up finish with a time of 17:49.65. With an influx of fresh talent to this year’s field, Mato was the only sophomore to place in the top five. Monroe College (N.Y.) freshman Susan Ejore completed the race in 17:56.60 for third.
Lansing’s 92-point total came in 43 points under the field. Iowa Central finished second with 135 points, followed by third place Central Arizona at 193.
The Stars earned their fifth NJCAA title, having won four DII championships from 1991-95.
Photos courtesy of Paul DeCoursey/Iowa Central Athletics.