Results

LANSING, Mi. – After a long and grueling season, Widener's seven cross country ladies capped off their historical season Saturday morning at the 2022 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships in a cold and snowy fashion.
 
"We had had a very rewarding season. To end the season representing Widener at Nationals was a great ending," Head Coach Logan Stroman said. "Even though it was a tough race today we are going to enjoy all the accomplishments we had along the way. We will take some much-deserved rest so that we can roar even louder during the Track and Field season."
 
The first ever qualifiers consisting of Katelyn Bernotas, Emily Cooney, Elizabeth Egan, Carly Gable, Gabby Nye, Emily Rudolph, and Jaden Sweely, dug deep and raced hard on a windy, cold, and icy course at Forest Akers Golf Course in Lansing, Michigan.
 
The Pride team ran an average race of 24:43.2 and totaled 2:03.35.8 among the invited teams. Nye led the pack crossing the finish line in a mark of 23:55.3 to move up ten places. Graduate student Bernotas ran a 24:03.8 finishing behind Nye and advanced 16 spots. Gable (24:56.3), Cooney (24:58.4), and Sweely (25:42.0) all moved up one place from their original seeds. Sophomore Egan crossed the finish give seconds later to register a 25:47.1 and Rudolph rounded out the team with a 28:05.4. On the day, the ladies completed their 2022 season with a Middle Atlantic Conference championship and a 32^nd finish at the NCAA Championships.
 
Following the race, we caught up with the seven competitors. This is what they had to say about the season and being the first ever Widener women's cross country team to qualify for the NCAA Championships…
 
Gabby Nye (Jr.) –  "Today wasn't exactly how I pictured our season ending, but I am so unbelievably proud of all that we have accomplished this season and I couldn't imagine having done it with any other team. It's been a great season, and now I'm excited to see what we can accomplish together in indoor and outdoor track."
 
Kate Bernotas (Gr.) – "The season wasn't what I expected, but it might have been what I needed. Every race was an opportunity to learn and grow even in my last year as a collegiate athlete. It was cool to set a goal as a whole team and see it through. We worked so hard this season and the rewards followed; winning the white race at Paul Short, being nationally ranked, winning MACs, winning regionals, and qualifying for nationals. I can't wait for training to start up again so I can continue to workout with a team that truly cares, has a drive for excellence, and pushes each other every step of the way."
 
Carly Gable (Sr.) – "Although this race did not go as I expected it to, I could not imagine a better season to end my collegiate cross-country career. I am so unbelievably proud of this team and what we have accomplished this year.  Shout out to Mike (and Stro) for believing in us and pushing us towards our goals. No one else I would rather share this experience with!"
 
Emily Cooney (Sr.) – "Before coming to Widener, I didn't even want to do cross country. Now I am here in Michigan, being able to compete in the NCAA Championships, and couldn't be happier! Getting here was the end goal, and we accomplished it along with so much more this season. We have worked so hard since June to be the best we could be, and although it has been extremely hard, it has been so much fun and enjoyable as well. Today's race was hard, but it was an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget. Thank you to Stro and Mike for pushing us to be the best I can be, and thank you to my teammates for always being there to motivate and help me be the best runner I could be!"
 
Jaden Sweely (Jr.) – "Today's race was definitely something that I will never forget.  Running through the snow was something that I do not think anyone on our team has ever experienced.  I am so proud and grateful for everything that our team has done this season, having all of our hard work that we put in pay off made this season really special to me.  Also, huge thanks to our coaches Mike and Stro for supporting and guiding us every step of the way!"
 
Liz Egan (Jr.) – "This season was loads of fun! I'm so proud of my team for putting in their best effort each day, and pushing through even at the toughest moments. I'm fortunate to have such amazing teammates and coaches that motivate me in races and laugh with me at practice. This season was ELECTRIC! Let's keep this determination going into track!"
 
Emily Rudolph (Sr.) – "Today was a tough mental and physical battle for everyone but it was an awesome experience. Overall, this season was one I will never forget and I am so grateful for every second. Everyone on the Widener Women's Cross-Country team has worked so hard for these opportunities. I am excited to see what lays ahead for this team and future Widener women's cross country teams. I also want to acknowledge previous teammates and Widener cross country teams that have motivated us to get to this point."
 
On Sunday, the Pride return to Chester, Pa. to catch up on some well-deserved r&r, celebrate their historic season, and prepare for the indoor track and field season.