Calvin’s Women Cross-Country Team Makes History, Shares Championship in Epic Showdown – Find Out Why!
On October 28, Calvin’s women cross-country team achieved a significant milestone by sharing the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) conference championship with Hope College. This victory marked Calvin’s first conference win since 2014. Notably, both teams secured the top spot with 33 points, resulting in the first instance of co-champions in the conference since 1989.
The Knights, under the leadership of second-place finisher freshman Hailey Erickson and third-place finisher Jenna Allman, displayed an impressive performance. All five of the Knights’ top runners earned All-Conference recognition by finishing within the top 12 in the conference. Head coach Nicole Kramer highlighted the outstanding performance of the fifth runner, junior Cath Kortman, who secured 12th place and played a crucial role in securing the championship.
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The Knights celebrated numerous personal bests, with 14 out of 18 runners achieving their fastest 6K times at the meet. The top seven finishers are set to compete in the NCAA regionals, while for others, this conference marks the conclusion of the season.
Despite the NCAA having a tiebreaker rule, the MIAA opted not to implement it, resulting in co-champions. Had the tiebreaker been applied, Hope College would have claimed the title. The Knights initially believed they had finished second but later learned about the tie. Senior Jenna Allman emphasized the importance of being proud of their performance, regardless of the outcome.
The team’s mentality throughout the season played a crucial role in their success, with a focus on training like MIAA champions from the beginning. According to Allman, the intentional belief in their capabilities made the victory even more satisfying.
Coach Kramer expressed satisfaction in sharing the championship with rival Hope College, emphasizing the mutual respect between the two programs. Women Cross However, the shared title posed a logistical challenge as both teams had to figure out how to split the trophy and T-shirts. Ultimately, Hope’s team graciously allowed Calvin to take home both items, with additional shirts and a trophy being ordered for Hope’s trophy case.
Women Cross Looking ahead, the Knights are gearing up for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships in Norton, Ohio, on November 11, with the goal of securing a spot in the National Championships.
