JOPLIN, Mo. – Flagler College finished with a program best 23rd place with 564 points at the NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country Championship on Saturday morning at Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course.
 
"There were a lot of nerves coming into the race this morning," said head coach and director of cross country Brian Beil. "The last time we made an appearance at the national championship as a team, these ladies were in high school."
 
Megan Churchill led the Saints with a career best 6K time of 21:38.8 as she finished in 100th place. Churchill's time was the fastest a Flagler female runner has posted at nationals in program history. Abby Misch followed in 111th place with a personal best time of 21.44.7.
 
The next three Saints to finish were all close together with Monique Whiteman (22:03.7) at 150th, Amber Schulz (22:05.9) at 153rd and Chloe Smith (22:07.6) at 156th. Enola Savel crossed the finish line at 22:31.3 and Clemence Treguer finished at 23:06.0.
 
"When it mattered the most, they remembered our superpower: team," said Beil. "It's what got us here, and today it's what allowed us to perform at our best. I am very proud of this team!"
 
Winning the individual title was Lindsay Cunningham from Winona State University. She led the 260-woman field with a time of 19:30.1. The rest of the top five consisted of runners from different schools. Eleonora Cutabbi from West Texas A&M finished second with a time of 19:45.2. Following her was Natalie Graber (19:50.3) from the champion school Grand Valley State University and Brianna Robles (19:58.9) from the runners-up Adams State University. Rounding out the top five was Khot Juac from Sioux Falls with a time of 20:00.0.

Grand Valley State had all five of their point scorers finish within the top 33 to help the finish in first with 59 points. The reigning champions from the past three years, Adams State, finished in second with 86 points, while Colorado School of Mines finished third with 121 points. Western Colorado University (150) and Winona State University (219) completed the top five.

This is the fourth time the women's cross country time has participated at the national championships as a team, the last time being in 2019.
 
Top 10 Team Results:
1. Grand Valley State University (59)
2. Adams State University (86)
3. Colorado School of Mines (121)
4. Western Colorado University (150)
5. Winona State University (219)
6. West Texas A&M University (258)
7. Augustana University (260)
8. Wingate University (283)
9. Lee University (284)
10. Cedarville University (300)
 
Top 10 Individual Results:
1. Lindsay Cunningham, Winona State (19:30.1)
2. Eleonora Curtabbi, West Texas A&M (19:45.2)
3. Natalie Graber, Grand Valley State (19:50.3)
4. Brianna Robles, Adams State (19:58.9)
5. Khot Juac, Sioux Falls (20:00.0)
6. Sarah Koomson, West Texas A&M (20:00.1)
7. Kaylee Beyer, Winona State (20:06.3)
8. Klaudia O'Malley, Grand Valley State (20:07.6)
9. Anna Fauske, UC-Colorado Springs (20:09.5)
10. Allison Beasley, Western Colorado (20:10.3)

Flagler Individual Results:
100. Megan Churchill (21:38.8)
111. Abby Misch (21:44.7)
150. Monique Whiteman (22:03.7)
153. Amber Schulz (22:05.9)
156. Chloe Smith (22:07.6)
195. Enola Savel (22:31.3)
226. Clemence Treguer (23:06.0)
 
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