Best result since 2017
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.– The Northern Michigan Cross Country carried over its successful regular season into the postseason, finishing in second at the GLIAC Championships out of 11 teams. The Wildcats have five runners place in the top-30, with four earning All-GLIAC honors, putting forth a collective effort for the team’s best finish since 2017.
In a race of over 100 runners, the Wildcats were paced once again by First Team All-GLIAC runner Madi Szymanski. Szymanski finished in 10th place with a time of 21:05.7. Not far behind Szymanski was Ashley Choponis, who earned Second Team All-GLIAC recognition in her first conference race. Choponis finished in 16th with a time of 21:38.2.
Behind the leaders were Emma Sweeney and Lamar Gordon, who finished back-to-back in 22nd and 23rd with times of 21:56.8 and 21:57.4, respectively. The duo also earned Second Team All-GLIAC accolades.
Just outside the lead packs, Sophia Potter finished in 27th with a time of 22:07.4, Dani VanLente finished in 34th with a time of 22:23.9, Beverly Harper finished in 37th with a time of 22:31.6, and Maija Maki-Warne finished in 39th at 22:33.2.
Rounding out the top-60 for NMU were Madalyn Agren, who finished in 56th with a final time of 22:57.0, and Lola Korpi, crossing in 60th place with a time of 23:06.1.
Northern finished second as a team, while Grand Valley State ended up winning the Championship by sweeping the top six runners. Lauren Kilney of GVSU was the individual winner with a time of 20:18.2. NMU finished with 80 team points, beating SVSU (103), Wayne State (113), and Michigan Tech (127).
“I am so proud of this team on the great season we have had so far,” said head coach Jenny Ryan. “The results are a testament to the hard work everyone has put in and the positive atmosphere we have created.”
Full results can be found here.
Up Next
The Wildcats will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to compete in the NCAA Midwest Regional race on November 8th. They’ll look to maintain their postseason success with eyes set on making the NCAA Championship.
