Fujiwara repeats as All-Region performer while helping Pioneers improve on regional ranking

Results

WAVERLY, Iowa - Mikayla Fujiwara '20 repeated as an All-Region performer and Grinnell College's women's cross country team improved one spot on its regional ranking at Saturday afternoon's NCAA Division III Central Region Championships.

Fujiwara ran the 6-kilometer race on Wartburg College's course in 23 minutes, 30.29 seconds to place 22nd in the 209-runner field. Fujiwara gradually moved up throughout the event, moving from 34th place a mile in to 29th at 3 kilometers and 23rd at the 3-mile mark. She is Grinnell's first repeat All-Region performer since Emma Zimmerman in 2016 and 2017.

Ally Cottrell '21 was next in line for Grinnell, placing 46th in 24:04.64. Their efforts helped the Pioneers to a ninth-place team finish in the 30-squad field with 280 points.

Rounding out Grinnell's scorers were Emma Schaefer '22 (65th in 24:37.17), Tori LaVerdiere '20 (68th in 24:41.73) and Madeleine Breunig '20 (79th in 24:52.42). Other Pioneers competing were Rachel Bottum '22 (104th in 25:34.40) and Cara Keleher '21 (119th in 25:47.53).

Kassie Rosenbum of Loras College was the individual winner in 21:59.97 and Carleton College claimed the team title with 57 points.

The top two teams and seven individuals not on qualifying teams automatically advance to the NCAA D-III National Championships. Additional at-large qualifiers will be announced Sunday.

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Players Mentioned

Emma Zimmerman: Senior

Madeleine Breunig: Senior

Ally Cottrell: Junior

Mikayla Fujiwara: Senior

Cara Keleher: Junior

Tori LaVerdiere: Senior

Emma Schaefer: Sophomore

Rachel Bottum: First-Year

Players Mentioned

Emma Zimmerman
: Senior

Madeleine Breunig
: Senior

Ally Cottrell
: Junior

Mikayla Fujiwara
: Senior

Cara Keleher
: Junior

Tori LaVerdiere
: Senior

Emma Schaefer
: Sophomore

Rachel Bottum
: First-Year