By Lindsay Whitehead
Staff Writer
Junior Stephanie Runyon beat out more than 130 runners while facing bitter wind, snow, and freezing temperatures, to win the USCAA Cross Country National title for the first time in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Nov. 11.
Taking the title at the Olympic training facility, where the meet was held, means Runyon also earned a spot on the All-American Team.
It was a close race. Runyon, with a time of 25:16, was a mere 7 seconds faster than the 2nd place competitor, Tori Faulkner, from Southern Virginia University.
This was Runyon’s first time winning Nationals: for the past two years she took second place.
“I think I worked the hardest for it this year and I wanted it more this year,” Runyon commented.
The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College cross country team had a positive turnout.
Although the team woke up at 4 a.m. on Nov. 9, to catch a flight to Albany, they were well prepared to race on Friday.
SMWC as a team claimed 3rd place out of twenty-six schools.
Photo provided by: Stephanie Runyon
Among the runners who competed were Runyon, Danika Espinoza, Kat Williams, Lauren Sutton, C.J. Barnett, Corianna Frederick, Logan Fry, and Jen Hughes.
For the SMWC cross country team, competing in New York was a new experience.
The last two years, Nationals has been held in New Hampshire. Every two years a different school hosts the competition.
“Last year, we knew what to expect, but this year it was completely different,” Runyon said.
For Kat Williams, this was her third year competing at Nationals.
Her goal was to place in the top 20 and she exceeded that goal by placing 18th with a time of 27:34. Williams’ only expectation of the race was that it was going to be a tough course.
“It was interesting going to a new place, but it’s always a little stressful,” Williams remarked. “Cross country is a very hard sport because there are no time outs; it is pure all out running from start to finish. There is no ‘I need a five-minute break.’”
The course at Lake Placid was a 6K with lots of sand and hills. For the SMWC team, this was the farthest they have raced all season.
“The longer the distance, the more mental the race becomes. It is all about pushing yourself to perform well,” freshman, Corianna Frederick said.
Frederick was nervous racing at her first Nationals, especially since she is new to the sport. But she knew she had the team with her the whole way. Frederick took home 29th place with a time of 28:18.
Runyon shared that this season overall was tough.
“I felt like I had a lot of ups and downs; the second half of the season went a lot better,” she said. “Looking back I learned a lot about myself this season and what things to improve upon next year. Having the National Championship is like the cherry on top.”
An important quality that Runyon has gained from being on the team is that even though you’re out there by yourself running and training, everything you do is for the team. It’s easy to be selfish and only think of yourself, but what I learned is that you are never alone.
Frederick said the best advice she received was from her teammate Runyon.
“When you go into a race, you cannot worry about how good you are going to do. Instead, you have to maintain an attitude of ‘let’s show these girls what we’ve worked for,’” Runyon advised.
Corianna has high hopes for next year’s Nationals. Her goal is to earn the All-American title.
From a press release by Sara Palmer who is the communications manager for Publications, SMWC cross country coach, Danelle Readinger noted, “I am so privileged to coach such talented, smart girls. They stay on top, stay strong and they love what they do.”
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