Grand Rapids, Michigan - Many of the top cross country programs from around the NAIA made their yearly pilgrimage to Riverside Park on Saturday morning to participate in the annual NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. The event, which is hosted by Aquinas College, remains the biggest stand alone NAIA-only event in any competitive sport (excluding National Championships). The Saints, who placed 14th overall in the Maroon Race, will now switch their attention to the WHAC Championships in two weeks.
In the Maroon Race,
Madison Rempalski led the way for the Saints by finishing 25th overall in a time of 18:29.
Ella Koons, who had a breakthrough performance, was the next Saint to cross the line in a time of 19:10 (64th place). The next three scoring positions were turned in by
Lauren Wooer (93rd place),
Amber Koole (102nd), and
Mallory Bowker (107th place). The trio crossed the line in 19:27, 19:36, and 19:39 to round out the scoring for the Saints.
A total of 180 individuals competed for 22 different institutions in the first women's race of the day.
In the White Race, the Saints attack was paced by
Noelle House, who finished in a time of 21:47 to place 93rd.
Katrina Amrhein (21:52) and
Annabel Bishop (21:54) followed House through the finish chute and placed 95th and 97th respectively. Aquinas' final two scoring spots were secured by
Emma Monroe (23:40 - 143rd) and
Lauren VanderWulp (25:08 - 160th).
In the second women's race of the day a total of 168 individuals competed for 32 different institutions.
The Saints will return to action on November 8th when they play host to the rest of the conference. The WHAC Women's Cross Country Championships will be contested at Riverside Park, with the women's 6K starting at 4pm.
