INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Hope College women's cross country program won the 2021 NCAA Great Lakes Region Championship on Saturday, November 13, at the Blue River CC Course in Shelbyville, Indiana. In addition, Trine University's Evie Bultemeyer claimed her second-career regional title with her first-place finish in the 6K.
The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) will be represented by Hope, Calvin, Trine, and Albion's Megan McCulloch at the 2021 NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country Championship on Saturday, November 20, at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Kentucky.
The top three spots in the regional championship were claimed by all MIAA runners. Trine's Evie Bultemeyer -- the 2021 MIAA Most Valuable Runner and a four-time All-MIAA honoree -- finished 35.9 seconds faster than her second-place opponent (21:16.2) to punch her ticket into the NCAA Championship next Saturday. Two-time All-MIAA runner Anna Tucker led the Hope squad with a second-place finish (21:52.1), followed by two-time All-MIAA recipient Sadie Heeringa of Calvin in third place (22:02.8).
First Team All-MIAA honoree Rebecca Markham was next to finish for the Flying Dutch, concluding the 6K in eighth place with a time of 22:15.9. Two-time All-MIAA runner Jacinda Cole crossed the finish line in 24th place (22:46.9) and Second Team All-MIAA recipient Ellie Jankowski in 28th (22:51.8). Heleyna Tucker (23:03.4) and Second Team All-MIAA runners Anna Mason (23:35.9) and Elizabeth Gorman (23:56.6) also competed for Hope.
Calvin was selected at-large after serving as the runner-up in Saturday's regional championship. Following Heeringa was First Team All-MIAA honoree Sienna Ruiter-Diaz in 11th place (22:21.1). First Team All-MIAA runner Jenna Allman (22:50.5) and Second Team All-MIAA recipient Delaney Sall (22:55.2) concluded the race in 26th and 33rd, respectively. Catherine Kortman crossed the finish line with a time of 23:20.5, followed by Haley Weesies (23:41.4) and Brynne Winiarski (23:42.1).
Trine was the third MIAA team that was selected at-large following a fifth-place finish on Saturday. Second Team All-MIAA honorees Carol Haldeman (22:53.2) and Chloe Brittain (22:55.5) followed Bultemeyer in 29th and 34th, respectively. Lydia Randolph concluded the 6K in 23:25.3 and was followed by Chloe Goodrich who clocked in at 23:35.5. Erin Downing (25:04.6) and Hannah Parker (25:14.5) rounded out the Thunder's roster.
Albion's Megan McCulloch earned a spot to compete in the NCAA Championship. McCulloch concluded Saturday's regional race in 10th place with a time of 22:19.3.
MIAA Finishes
1. Hope - 98 points
2. Calvin - 121 points
5. Trine - 181 points
16. Kalamazoo - 434 points
20. Albion - 539 points
22. Saint Mary's - 597 points
28. Adrian - 842 points
31. Olivet - 901 points
33. Alma - 907 points
2021 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship links
NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country page
2021 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship announcement
2021 NCAA Great Lakes Region results
Albion
Calvin
Hope
Trine
