COLFAX, Wis. – The No. 11-ranked Carleton College women's cross country team finished second at the NCAA North Region Championships, putting the Knights in excellent position for an at-large bid to next week's national championships. Senior Hannah Preisser was the individual regional champion for the second straight year.
 
No. 6 ranked UW-La Crosse won the team competition with a score of 45 points, while Carleton totaled 71 points. No. 23 UW-Eau Claire was third at 123 points, with No. 29 St. Olaf (184) and Gustavus Adolphus (255) rounding out the top five.
 
When the gun went off, Preisser sprinted to the front of the pack and in the number one position the entire race, crossing the line at 21:40.2.
 
"Hannah set her sights on repeating as the North Region champion, and it was apparent that was her mission," said Carleton head coach Donna Ricks.
 
First-year Claire Vukovics was fifth with a time of 21:52.8. "Her competitiveness and passion for running has established her as the top rookie in the region," noted Ricks.
 
Senior Aliya Larsen placed 12th with a time of 22:15.7.
 
"Aliya has been that individual all season long that has really had a hand in developing and guiding the freshmen group and has been instrumental in the success of this team," Ricks said. "Every meet Aliya has upped her game."
 
First-year Lauren Tittel was the second rookie — across all 31 teams — to finish, placing 18th at 22:33.5.
 
First-year Amelia Campbell was the fifth Knight to collect All-Region recognition as she placed 35th with a time of 23:09.2.
 
Two other rookies rounded out the Knights' regional squad. Nicole Peterson finished 48th at 23:33.0, while Louise Ruzanic was 59th at 23:44.0.
 
"This is a young talented team that has gained valuable insight and experience to collegiate running this season; it has been an exciting season," said Ricks.
 
Up Next for the Knights
The field for next week's NCAA Championships — to be comprised of the first-place team at each of the 10 regional championships plus 22 at-large teams from across the nation — will be announced on NCAA.com on Sunday, Nov. 16. Carleton will likely receive one of the 22 at-large berths.