NMU Women’s Cross Country Team Achieves Milestone at NCAA Championship
With head coach Jenny Ryan at right and top finisher Madi Szymanski fourth from right, the Northern Michigan University women’s cross country team stands together at the NCAA Division II Championships held in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of NMU)
Historic Season for NMU Wildcats
In a notable achievement, the Northern Michigan University (NMU) women’s cross country team marked its return to the NCAA Division II National Championships after an eight-year hiatus. The event took place in Kenosha, Wisconsin, hosted by GLIAC member Wisconsin-Parkside.
Performance at the Championships
Competing against 34 elite teams and over 260 runners, the Wildcats secured a 24th-place finish with a total of 586 points. This performance included a top-100 finisher and all seven NMU runners within the top 200, showcasing their competitive spirit and endurance.
Individual Highlights
Leading the pack for NMU was senior Madi Szymanski, who finished 70th with a time of 21 minutes, 29.9 seconds on the 6-kilometer course. Despite a challenging race, Szymanski’s strategy allowed her to combat early setbacks, as she improved her ranking towards the end, moving from 77th to 70th place.
- Madi Szymanski: 70th place, 21:29.9
- Lamar Gordon: 136th place, 22:12.2
- Ashley Choponis: 145th place, 22:19.2
- Beverly Harper: 162nd place, 22:26.2
- Emma Sweeney: 168th place, 22:28.8
- Dan Van Lente: 183rd place, 22:36.4
- Sophia Potter: 187th place, 22:44.4
Team Results and Comparisons
The championship was tightly contested, with Grand Valley State claiming the title by a narrow margin of just four points over runner-up Colorado School of Mines. Their victory was bolstered by having all five scoring runners finish in the top 20.
Looking Ahead
The successful season underscores the team’s growth and potential for future competitions, with hopes of building on this foundation. The Wildcats’ impressive results at the national level highlight their determination and capability within the collegiate cross country arena.
For more information about the NMU cross country team, please contact the Sports Information office at NMU.
