Cross Country closes season at NCAA Regionals

TY SLATER
SPORTS WRITER

11/25/2024

The Alma College Men’s and Women’s Cross Country seasons ended at the NCAA Regionals on Saturday, Nov. 16, in Shelbyville, IN. With record-breaking performances and individual awards, the runners were able to get the most out of their fall campaigns.

The Scots were led by Matt Chovanec who finished his 11^th season as the teams’ Head Coach.

“I was very pleased and proud of what both teams accomplished this season. The men, who were relatively inexperienced in terms of experiencing a full college cross-country season, impressed me with their overall growth. They got so much better each week, accomplished more than what I think some on the outside expected of them and it is something we can definitely build on going forward,” said Chovanec.

“The women, on the other hand, took a nice step forward this year and surprised a lot of people. If they continue to do what they need to do and we can add some additional pieces to the team, the next few years hereafter could be fun. I must admit I am sad the season went by so fast, and we’re done. But looking at the future, it’s definitely an exciting time for our cross country program,” said Chovanec.

The year was capped off first with the MIAA Championships in Grand Rapids, MI on Nov. 2. A total score of 223 resulted in a seventh-place finish out of eight teams.

The NCAA regionals followed with those attending being Aiden Aldrich (’28), Colton Gibson (’27), Will Maginity (’25), Nick Malish (’26), Noah Murphy (’26), Jeremiah Thompson (’28), Nolan Woodman (’26), and Benjamin Dickieson (’27) as an alternate.

Graduates on the men’s team were Maginity and Anderson Strand (’25).

The women’s cross-country team enjoyed success from multiple participants throughout the season. The team’s standout performance came at the Lansing Invitational on Sep. 20, where the Scots finished third out of 12 teams with a score of 92.

Later in the year, at the Muskegon Jayhawk Invite on Oct. 12, Chloe Colton (’27) delivered an outstanding time of 19:09.34, which tied her for the eighth-fastest 5K in Alma history. Three other runners also made their marks in the record books at this meet. Melanie Werner (’28) ran the 18^th fastest time for the program at 19:48.02, Sophie Dech (’26) posted the 19^th best time at 19:56.39, and Caleigh Winters (’25) claimed the 22^nd spot with a time of 20:09.73. 

Individually, several athletes were recognized for their performances. Lauren Brawt (’27) was named Scot of the Week on Sep. 9 after finishing 28^th at the Northwood Invitational with a time of 20 flat. Werner was honored as Scot of the Week on Sep. 23, following an 18^th place finish at the Lansing Invitational, where she clocked in at 20:57.00. Colton was also awarded Scot of the Week on Oct. 14 following her performance at the Muskegon Jayhawk Invite.

In postseason competition, the women placed sixth out of nine teams at the MIAA Championships in Grand Rapids, MI, on Nov. 2, finishing with a team score of 178. At the NCAA Regionals on Nov. 16 in Shelbyville, IN., Alma participants were Brawt, Colton, Dech, Sophia Sanford (’27), Erica Slocum (’27), Werner, Winters, and Kaitriss DeGroft (’26) as an alternate.

As the season concluded, the women’s team bid farewell to seniors Jenna Belmas (’25), Tori Hatton (’25), and Winters. Looking ahead to what’s next, the indoor track and field season will begin on Dec. 6 and 7 in University Center, MI, for the SVSU Holiday Classic.