By The Fighting Saints women’s cross-country team continues to move up the National Polls, ranking 13th in the nation.
The Saints have had a busy schedule. On Friday, Oct. 6, our ladies traveled to the Yellowjackets/Battlin’ Bears Open hosted by MSU-Billings.
It was a competitive fight for the Carroll women who placed fourth overall. The Saints got an overall score of 101, passing Rocky Mountain College by one point. The only competitors to beat the Carroll women were all NCAA Division II schools including, Chadron State, MSU-Billings, and Central Wyoming College.
The team’s top placers were freshmen Isabelle Ruff, a nursing major from Concord, Calif. at 13th, and Anna Terry, a business major from Chinook, Montana, at 17th; and sophomore Hannah Sempf, an elementary education major from Columbia Falls, Montana, placing 27th. They were also the Saints’ top scorers.
“Our race in Billings was filled with good competition and personal records,” said Erika Arthur, a junior elementary education major from Soldotna, Alaska. “This was only the second 6k race of our careers, and nearly all the Saints improved their times … we all relied on each other to run hard and smart. We had to overcome a lot of adversity this race and are thoroughly impressed with our determination and perseverance.”
On Saturday, Oct. 21, they traveled to Michigan to compete in the Great Lakes Challenge, held by Aquinas College.
There were 12 NAIA teams ranked in the Top 25.. The Carroll women placed fifth, surpassing many teams in their division including Montana Tech, 7th, and Rocky Mountain College, 9th.
Not only did the Carroll women surpass these teams, but they were also able to surpass and maintain their lead over 10th-ranked Cumberland..
The Carroll women had a great race with multiple people showing improvement. Ruff continued her streak as a top scorer when she placed ninth out of 189 runners. Nicole Morgen, a senior math major from Bend, Ore., ran a personal record of 19:46.70 for the 5K.
“The women were really impressive in how they managed the cold, wet, muddy conditions at the Great Lakes Challenge,” said head coach Shannon Flynn. “They kept a great attitude and ended up competing well with the National level teams we were up against! This meet has a lot of credibility so placing 5th there is really great for us,” she added.
The women’s cross country team now moves to compete at the Frontier Conference Championships, hosted by the University of Providence in Great Falls on Nov. 3.
