SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Carleton College women's cross country team finished 13th at the 2025 NCAA Division III Championships. The Knights had the youngest squad in the 32-team field by a wide margin as the seven-member team entry included two seniors and five rookies.
"It has been an amazing season," said Carleton head coach
Donna Ricks. "In three months, this team has formed a bond with all of the dynamics of a family. They are nurturing, caring, and are comfortable with one another to joke around and have some fun. They are an amazing group of women."
There were 45 first-years competing at this year's national meet, representing 25 schools overall. Among that group, only Washington & Lee (15th place), Calvin College (21st), and Hope College (26th) had more than two rookies in their lineups, as each of those schools saw three first-years compete on Saturday.
"Five first-years stepping to the line today is impressive," said Ricks. "Six months ago, these women were in high school; today they competed on the national stage, in one of the strongest D-III fields that I have seen in all my years of coaching. These five women will forever be connected through this experience."
No. 2 NYU won the team title with 79 points to edge No. 1-ranked Williams College (106). No. 5 Claremont-Mud-Scripps (133), No. 4 Johns Hopkins (140), and the race's midpoint leader No. 3 MIT (232) rounded out the top-five on the leaderboard. Audrey Maclean of Middlebury College won the individual crown by nearly 50 seconds with a time of 20:16.8.
Senior
Aliya Larsen was Carleton's top finisher, placing 98th with a time of 22:47.5 in her third trip to the national cross country championships. Classmate
Hananh Preisser competed at Nationals for the fourth time in cross country, this time placing 119th at 22:55.6. Both were members of the Knights' 2023 NCAA Championships team.
"Aliya brings an element to the team, of strength and determination," Ricks said. "Her positive attitude and work ethic to strive towards reaching her potential as an athlete is evident every day. Aliya has demonstrated with determination that you can achieve great things.
"Hannah has been instrumental in the success of the Carleton women's cross country program for four years. Her career is filled with accolades. She has been a MIAC champion, repeat Regional champion, an All-American, and helped our team to multiple NCAA podium finishes. Hannah is humble, kind, and competes with heart. Her passion for running and racing is evident every time she toes the line. She leaves an amazing legacy for others to aspire towards."
First-years rounded out the remainder of the Carleton lineup this time around.
Lauren Tittel moved up 22 spots over last 3,000 meters and finished right behind Preisser in 120th place at 22:55.8.
Amelia Campbell also improved more than 20 spots over the last three kilometers, finishing 123rd with a time of 22:58.1.
"Lauren and Amelia have worked side by side the entire season," said Ricks. "They are outstanding athletes from Oregon where running is the main sport. They came to Carleton with a wealth of top-end experiences at the high school level competing in the Oregon state cross country and track & field championships.
Claire Vukovics placed 127th with a time of 23:01.1, while classmates
Louise Ruzanic and
Nicole Peterson finished 253rd and 272nd, respectively, with times of 24:13.9 and 24:44.2.
"Claire has demonstrated that she has the ability and the mindset to be a front runner," Ricks said. "She is intentional regarding race strategy, visualizing, and maintains a healthy perspective regarding the competition. Nicole and Louise bring to the team impressive high school résumés and will continue to play a vital role in the future of this program.
"Each one of these women bring unique qualities and have grown immensely throughout the course of the season. This team has a bright future!"
