New school, no problem: first-year runners help Lawrence Cross Country race to success

Women's Cross Country in the huddle before the Midwest Conference Tournament. Photo Provided by Lawrence University Department of Athletics.

Only 6% of high school athletes go on to compete at the collegiate level. Some will help lead their team to multiple championships. Some will only win one. Some might win none. Then, there are a select few that will play an integral role in assisting their college team to win a conference championship in just their first season on the team.

Men’s Cross Country competing at the Midwest Conference Tournament. Photo Provided by Lawrence University Department of Athletics.

This past weekend at the Reid Golf Course, the Lawrence Women’s and Men’s Cross Country teams placed first and second respectively at the Midwest Conference (MWC) meet. As has been a familiar sight all season, Lawrence senior Cristyn Oliver took home first place individually for the third time in her collegiate career. Following the success of Oliver, first-year Mila Westra solidified victory for the Vikings by rounding out the podium in third place.

“When I joined the team, I knew coming in that we could have an amazing season if we all worked super hard, and we all did this season,” Westra said. “So, knowing that we worked super hard to do it and we were able to accomplish it, it’s really good.”

Westra’s performance at the MWC meet wasn’t a one-off either. Throughout the course of the season, Westra secured several top 10 finishes in addition to her third place finish at the conference meet, which was enough to earn her the MWC Newcomer of the Year award.

“I wasn’t really expecting to do what I’m doing this season, so it was really exciting to see that big jump [from high school],” Westra said.

Westra wasn’t the only Viking to earn the MWC Newcomer of the Year award. On the Men’s Cross Country team, first-year Nick Hansen took home this honor following a strong performance at the MWC meet where he finished seventh place overall and set a new PR.

“[I d]efinitely was not expecting when I came into this to place so well at conference,” Hansen said. “[I’m h]appy with how I did.”

Hansen’s PR combined with sophomore Finn Lee’s third-place finish was the driving force behind the Viking’s second-place result in the MWC, finishing just behind Cornell College. But the Vikings want more.

“Next season, for cross country, we’re definitely hoping to come back and win [the MWC],” Hansen said. “That’s a given.”

Women’s Cross Country in the huddle before the Midwest Conference Tournament. Photo Provided by Lawrence University Department of Athletics.

These results from the Vikings were anything but a fluke. On the men’s side, not only did Hansen win Newcomer of the Year, but his first-year teammates Zach Meyer and Caleb Hardy were the first and second runner-ups, respectively, meaning Lawrence houses the top three first-year runners in the MWC. For the women’s team, consistent top-10 finishes this season and a MWC Championship will be motivation to continue to perform at this level for the seasons to come. Women’s Cross Country will also compete this weekend at the regional meet, where they will look to put up another strong performance in hopes of earning a bid at the national meet.

The motto here at Lawrence is “Light, More Light!” Not only did both cross country teams shine this season, but the first-years proved their brilliance and value, as Lawrence Cross Country looks to have a very bright future.