WOMENS RESULTS
MENS RESULTS

Nov. 11, 2025, FORT DODGE, IA. – The Grand Rapids Community College cross country teams capped off their 2025 season on Tuesday morning competing in the NJCAA Half Marathon National Championships, held in chilly but sunny 41-degree weather in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It marked just the second-ever half marathon national appearance for both Raider programs.

The No. 7-ranked GRCC women's team earned a 15th-place finish out of 22 teams, tallying 173 points in a strong national field. Odessa College, the NJCAA Cross Country National Champion from Saturday, added another title with a dominant score of 11.

Freshman Mackenzie Baldrica - who was named All-American after a great race at the cross country national championships - led the Raiders with a 48th-place finish (1:32:58) among 131 runners. Sophomore Gloria Gaston was next in at 73rd (1:37:56), improving from her 2024 time of 1:39:53. Freshman Suzannah DiPiazza followed in 80th (1:39:48), just ahead of her sister Sophia DiPiazza, who placed 85th (1:41:05). Freshmen Leah Williams (102nd, 1:46:28) and Kadie Norman (106th, 1:47:05) rounded out the Raider lineup.

The performance capped a strong year for GRCC's women, who finished runner-up in both the MCCAA Championship and NJCAA Region XII Championship this fall.

On the men's side, the No. 24-ranked Raiders placed 26th out of 32 teams with 289 points in a field of 196 finishers. Iowa Western Community College claimed the national title with just 9 points.

Sophomore Isaac Skinner paced GRCC with a 79th-place finish (1:16:16), improving more than two minutes from his 2024 performance (98th, 1:18:38). Fellow sophomore John DiPiazza crossed in 129th (1:20:28), also shaving off over two minutes from last season's time. Freshman Corey Jones completed the scoring with a 150th-place finish (1:22:44).

The Raider men also closed their season as runner-up in the MCCAA and NJCAA Region XII Championships, continuing to build on their reputation as one of the top programs in the Midwest.

The half marathon marks the conclusion of another successful year for GRCC cross country, as the Raiders continue to make their mark nationally and regionally.

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