The women’s cross country team came away with a disappointing fourteenth place finish in the NCAA Division III National Championships on Saturday, Nov. 18.

Entering what was their twelfth consecutive appearance at Nationals as the second-ranked team in the division, the Knights were expected to place in the top four. Unfortunately, it did not happen.

With no runners in the top-35, junior Erinn Boot finished first for Calvin with a time of 19:04. Senior Rashel Workman finished 96th in 19:20, followed by freshmen Sarah Hastings (19:21) and Jessie Lair (19:27) who placed 100th and 115th, respectively. Senior Sarah Gritter took 130th with a time of 19:36, and junior Laura Medema placed 156th in 19:49.

Coach Nancy Meyer attributes the upset to the team’s loss of mental focus. As the team’s customary top runners slipped from the lead pack, the Calvin athletes behind them seemed to follow suit. “It was a disappointing race,” she commented.

However, “I’m really happy with our season,” Meyer added, reflecting on how the team, which was stereotyped at the season’s outset as “rebuilding,” still managed to dominate in the MIAA and claim the NCAA Regional title. “Nationals is only one piece of the puzzle,” she said. “We learned a huge lesson about focus and mental toughness,” said Meyer. “[Now we need to] pick up the pieces and move forward.”

The women’s team was also very supportive of the men in their victory. “I was proud of they way the handled themselves,” commented Meyer. “They were very happy for the guys.”

For now the team will just focus on next season, when they will try once again to claim victory at the national level. Until then, Meyer said the team will work to “form an identity and find out what our goals are.”