Aquinas College

Junior (2017)

• Ran to a 1st-place finish in a time of 18:12 to help the Saints win their 4th straight WHAC Championships at Riverside Park. Mel was named First Team All-WHAC and WHAC Runner of the Year for her performance • Finished as meet medalist with a time of 18:11 in the 5,000-meter event at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge (Oct. 21) at Riverside Park • Placed 2nd out of 203 at the Bethel College Invitational (Oct. 6), crossing the finish line in 18:07 • Placed 3rd out of 171 in a time of 17:58 at the Greater Louisville Classic• Opened at the 5,000-meter Calvin Knight Invitational (Sept. 12), crossing at 2nd in 17:54

Sophomore (2016)

• Placed 21st and earn All American honors at the NAIA National Championships (Nov. 19) with a personal best time of 17:43 at North Farms XC Course in Elsah, Illinois.  The Saints returned to the podium with their second consecutive 4th place team finish.  • Ran to a 3rd-place finish in 18:33 to help the Saints win the WHAC Championships at Riverside Park. Was named First Team All-WHAC for her performance. • Finished 3rd with a time of 18:15 in the 5,000-meter event at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge (Oct. 22) at Riverside Park•  Placed 4th out of 165 at the Bethel College Invitational (Oct. 7), crossing the finish line in 18:28. • Placed 10th in a time of 18:29 at the National Catholic Championships. • Opened the season at the 5,000-meter UW-Parkside Midwest Open (Sept. 10), crossing 5th in 18:48

Freshman (2015)

• Placed 44th at the NAIA National Championships (Nov. 21) with a time of 18:29 at McAlpine Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The Saints finished 4th to record the highest finish in school history by a female sport.  • Ran to a 3rd-place finish in 18:36 to help the Saints win the WHAC Championships at Riverside Park.  Mel was named First Team All-WHAC and WHAC "Newcomer of the Year". • Finished 13th with a time of 19:19 in the 5,000-meter event at the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge (Oct. 24) at GraceWil Golf Course. • Ran a 18:50 at the Royals XC Challenge (Oct. 9) at McAlpine Park to place 19th. • Finished 9th at the National Catholic Championships (Sept. 18) contested on the campus of Notre Dame in the 5K event, finishing with a time of 18:47. • Made her Aquinas debut at the 5,000-meter Calvin Knight Invitational (Sept. 12), crossing 26th in 18:54.

High School: Prepped at Thornapple Kellogg High School under head cross country coach Tammy Benjamin. Team captain of the Trojan squad during her senior season. Earned all-conference honors four times in the OK Gold Conference. All-state and academic all-state selection.  Ran track junior and senior year under head coach Abby Kanitz. Five time Conference and Regional Champion. All-state and academic all-state for division two with a highest finish of 2nd in the 1600m. Also played varsity soccer freshman and sophomore year. Was a member of the National Honor Society.
 
Personal: Daughter of Wayne and Yvette Winchester. Sister to Rebecca, Keith, and Allyson Winchester. Majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, cooking, reading, and spending time with family.