Charlotte, Mich. - Junior Kaitlyn Arnold (Jackson, Mich./Northwest) finished fifth overall and led the Alma College women's cross country team to a third-place finish at the MIAA Championship on Saturday (Oct. 31) afternoon at the Broadway Acres Golf Course. For the Scots, it was their best showing at the league meet since the 2012 campaign.
Arnold crossed the line in 22:32.7, a minute behind Calvin's Lauren Strohbehn, who won the event in 21:30.5. Arnold also earned All-MIAA First Team honors for the second straight season. Sophomore Chelse Van Spronsen (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) placed 20th with a 23:34.2, while freshman Mallory Munderloh (St. Louis, Mich./St. Louis) finished in 23:54.9 to place 24th. Both recorded personal-best times.
The women finished third in the final MIAA standings, which combines the results from the championship meet with the finishes from the MIAA Jamboree on September 26. The Scots have not placed as high as third since 2012.
On the men's side, the Scots finished in eighth place and were paced by senior Adam Sanchez (Alma, Mich./Alma), who ran a personal-best time of 25:45.9 to earn a spot on the All-MIAA Second Team. Freshman Anthony Pizzo (Madison Heights, Mich./Clawson) also clocked a personal-best 27:41 to place 41st.
Overall, the men finished in eighth place in the final MIAA standings.
The Scots will have a week off before traveling to Terre Haute, Ind., to compete in the NCAA Division III Regionals, which are being hosted by Rose-Hulman on Saturday, Nov. 14.
RESULTS
Men's Race
1 - Calvin - 20
2 - Hope - 55
3 - Trine - 99
4 - Albion - 114
5 - Adrian - 151
6 - Olivet - 154
7 - Kalamazoo - 188
8 - Alma - 191
Alma Finishers
9 - Adam Sanchez - 25:45.9
41 - Anthony Pizzo - 27:41.6
46 - Zane Berlanga - 27:58.6
47 - Justin Jones - 28:18.2
48 - Charlie Clark - 28:20.8
51 - Jamey Paron - 28:53.7
53 - Calvin Scott - 29:06.1
Women's Race
1 - Hope - 42
2 - Calvin - 47
3 - Alma - 121
4 - Saint Mary's - 122
5 - Trine - 128
6 - Albion - 136
7 - Kalamazoo - 193
8 - Adrian - 219
9 - Olivet - 219
Alma Finishers
5 - Kaitlyn Arnold - 22:32.7
20 - Chelse Van Spronsen - 23:34.2
24 - Mallory Munderloh - 23:54.9
29 - Hannah Garn - 24:14.1
43 - Madison Nelson - 25:34.8
50 - Brooke Vande polder - 25:47.2
53 - Laura Kelly - 26:10.2
QUOTES
Head Coach Matt Chovanec
"We had a very good day compared to the Jamboree. Over the week we talked about improving upon our place instead of worrying about time as a factor in terms of measuring our improvement. One of the goals we set was for everyone to get a place better than what they did in the Jamboree, and most people accomplished that goal. As a result, the women were third and the men moved up in terms of points. It was a great day in terms of a championship atmosphere."
