Women's Cross Country Leaves Mark at Nationals

The Westmont women’s cross country team finished eighth out of 38 teams at the NAIA National Championship Nov. 22  in Lawrence, Kansas, its seventh best finish in program history and best placing since 1998.

The Warriors scored 316 points and moved up three places from their No. 11 ranking. Westmont has fielded 21 teams at nationals since the program began. This year’s squad is the seventh team to finish in the top 10.

Sophomore Kelly Collins finished 21st in the field of 336 to earn All-American honors. Collins completed the 5,000 meter race in a time of 18:28.

Jessica Meyers finished in 57th place with a time of 19:03 while Corinne Cherne placed 92nd in a time of 19:20. Olivia Wood and Emily Williams completed the scoring for the Warriors taking 112th and 114th respective – both in a time of 19:30. Also competing for the Warriors was Heidi Nicholls who placed 162nd in a time of 19:50 and Hailey Alexander who was 247 in a time of 20:34.

Westmont was the top finisher among schools from the Golden State Athletic Conference. The Master’s finished 13th while Biola took 21st place.

For the first time since 1999, the team claimed the Golden State Athletic Conference Championship Nov. 8 in Santa Clarita. For the first time since 1998, four Warriors were named to the All-GSAC team, Collins, Meyers, Cherne and Nichols.