Women's Results
Men's Results
XC Photo Gallery

Nov. 9, 2024, RICHMOND, VA. -- The No. 3 ranked Grand Rapids Community College women's cross country team capped off a fantastic season with a fifth place at the NJCAA DII National Championships on Saturday. It was the teams fourth top-10 finish in the past five years and highest finish since 2020. 

Women's XC Recap:

Because of their great showings, four Raiders also earned NJCAA Coaches Association All-American honors, including Anna Tubbergen who earned her second straight All-American award.

Tubbergen led the Raiders with time of 19:26, to finish 21st out of 317 runners, and third best in the region. 

Elicia Land and Olivia Lemke, also earned All-American honors, finishing neck and neck with times of 19:48, good for 32nd and 33rd overall, and sixth and seventh in the region. 

Freshman Gloria Gaston was the fourth Raider to be named All-American finishing with a time of 20:05, for 45th place overall.

Sophomore Mariana Zaragoza rounded out the Raider scoring with time of 21:41. 

The Raiders historic season also included a conference, MCCAA and regional championship. 

Coaches Comments:

"The ladies team ran with heart and soul.  They ran very hard, challenged themselves and have no regrets after a phenomenal showing.  Four runners in the top-40 is the best finish that our team has ever had, so I can't ask for better results than that. They really showed true grit out there.  Our fifth runner, Mariana, did a super job trying to bridge that gap as much as she could and I really appreciate the effort and determination. 

From the start of practice, to today, there's a lot of work with ups and downs that go in betweem, and they showed their championship spirit and their tenacity and how strong they are."

Men's XC Recap:

The men's cross country team, ranked 15th in the country, finished 14th overall and fourth in region.

Joseph VanderKooi, 27:06, and Isaac Skinner, 27:10, led the Raiders after finishing 56th and 59th out of 315 runners. Both runners had outstanding seasons, earning All-MCCAA honors after their last meet.

John DiPiazza set a new PR with a time of 27:40 to finish in 90th place.

Nate Fahey, 28:51, and Austin Winkle, 28:53, rounded out the Raiders scorers.  

All five Raiders will have one more competition before the season ends, as they will take part in the NJCAA Half Marathon next Tuesday. 

Coaches Comments:

"Definitely a national meet.  With any championships, they are always intense.  It was a very fair course with nice weather and we had a good outside box.  This was a loop course.  Definitely started as we planned.  Our two top runners ran very good, moving up closer to the front as the race progressed.  John also had a very positive race.  Finishing top-15 in nothing to be disappointed about, and definitely something we are ready to improve on for next year.  We got a quick turn around to recover and refocus and I'm excited to see what we got in next weeks half marathon."  

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