ROCHESTER, NY -- The women's cross country teams traveled to Rochester, NY to compete in the NCAA Niagara Regional Championships on Saturday. Each team is able to run their top 7 runners to determine qualification for the NCAA Championships on 11/22. The course was in good condition, and the temperatures were in the mid 40s, and clear. The women had been ranked as high as 8th throughout the season, and their highest finish at the championships was 12th, in 2023. This is a big step for the squad into the top 10 for the first time. The 1,000m split would have the Highlanders in 13th place, and they'd surge to 9th by 2,000m, and never lose it. There'd be a battle with SUNY Brockport for 8th place throughout the race, but the Golden Eagles would hold off the Highlanders. Houghton was able to beat SUNY Brockport at the Empire 8 Championships. 

Noelle Linenfelser would lead the Highlanders with a 16th place finish, getting just two spots away from NCAA qualification. She qualified for that event in 2024, and quite possibly ran an even fiercer race today. Freshman Amy Collins would be second for the Highlanders in 38th place, just three spots away from all-region honors. 

RESULTS

Coach Hager commented after the race, "These ladies set a new standard for consistency and focus this year. Despite how their bodies felt on race day, they brought energy and were locked in, and pushing hard for each other the second half of races. Today was no different. My heart hurts for Noelle, as I know how bad she wanted to get back to NCAA's. I do believe she raced exactly how she needed to today, and it was certainly one of the best races of her career. I'm so proud of her. I want to shout out senior Rachael Smith, as well. She pushed hard in that number 6 position, and was right where she needed to be. What can you ask for but two seniors putting it all out there in (possibly) their last races? That's a great legacy."