HOPKINTON, N.H. — The Cornell women's cross country team delivered a strong ninth-place finish at the NCAA Division I Northeast Region Championships on Friday at the Hopkinton Fairgrounds. The result was powered by one of the team's tightest pack performances of the season and a career-best regional effort from senior Mairead Clas.
Clas led Cornell with a 32nd-place finish in 20:39.9, marking her highest placement at the regional meet. She was followed by sophomore Hannah Kersten in 58th with a time of 21:02.0, and freshman Evelyn Prodoehl, who placed 69th in 21:11.5. Sophomore Tenley Nelson crossed in 71st in 21:12.1, and junior Maisie McManus completed the scoring five with a 73rd-place finish in 21:14.4.
Freshman Kinga Czajkowska placed 100th in 21:33.5, and sophomore Bronwyn Parks finished 103rd in 21:35.3. All seven Cornell runners finished ahead of where the Big Red's fourth runner placed at last year's regional meet.
Head Coach Mike Henderson, the Alan B. '53 and Elizabeth Heekin Harris Head Coach of Cross Country, said he was proud of the group's progression.
"The women took another step forward as a team. It was great to break back into the top 10 in the region, and hopefully we only build from here. We had all seven runners place ahead of where our fourth runner finished last year, so that really shows our added depth and progress."
Henderson highlighted the execution of the middle pack.
"I think Hannah, Evelyn and Tenley all did a great job keying off each other and working through the field as the race progressed. That trio and Maisie having only a 12 second spread was a great way to end the season."
Clas' race also earned individual recognition from Henderson.
"This was Mairead's top finish ever at regionals, but it is a little bittersweet as she was just a few seconds from earning All-Region honors. She lost some contact with the group on the second loop and could not quite reel them back in, but I am sure she will get better from this experience and be even stronger on the track this spring."
Cornell's ninth-place regional finish caps a season marked by depth, growth, and breakthrough performances from a young and rising roster.
