BISMARCK, ND – Alyssa Becker dominated the field to claim her first Northern Sun women's cross country individual title and lead 16^th ranked University of Mary to a runner-up finish in the team race.
 
Two other Marauders also finished in the top six as Kristine Kaltoff placed third and Andrijana Fundak claimed sixth overall to give UMary three first team all-conference performers.
 
Becker started fast and never let up over the 6,000 meter course at the Souris Valley Golf Course in Minot, ND. The native of Seabeck, WA, completed the race in a time of just 19:51.2, Becker finished 40.6 seconds ahead of runner-up Sophia Taarud of Winona State, who crossed the finish line in 20:31.8. Becker led by the 2K check-in and continued to expand her lead over the remainder of the course.
 
This is the first NSIC title for Becker, who was the runner-up in 2022 as a sophomore. She finished in the top ten in all four seasons racing for UMary and was honored as the NSIC Outstanding Senior following the race.
 
Becker joins Tiffany Czarmonska (2006), Melissa Agnew (2012), Jennifer Agnew (2013), Alexis Zeis (2015, 2017), Jaiden Schuette (2018) and Ida Narbuvoll (2019) as NSIC cross country champions for the Marauders.
 
Kalthoff finished fast to earn the third spot in the race standings. The senior from Albany, MN, completed the course in 20:37.1. She is a two-time all-NSIC performer after placing 11^th last season.
 
Fundak also recorded her best-ever finish at the NSIC championships. The senior from Richland, WA, finished in a time of 20:46.8 to place sixth out of 144 runners to earn All-NSIC first team honors for the second time and all-conference recognition a third time. Fundak was 10^th last season as UMary claimed third in the team standings and 18^th in 2022.   
 
This is the first time UMary has had three of the top six finishers since posting four of the top six in 2019.
 
Rounding out the scoring for the Marauders was Elizabeth Acheson and Terez Wyklendt. Acheson claimed 26^th (22:12.6) and Wyklendt placed 38^th (22:31.6).
 
UMary totaled 72 points to finish second, holding off #25 Winona State University by three points. The Marauders held third place after 2,000 meters before moving up a slot. #8 Augustana won the title with 54 points in the 15-team championship meet.
 
Championship season continues for the Marauders when UMary competes at the NCAA Central Regional on Saturday, November 9, in Joplin, MO. The NCAA Championships are set for Saturday, November 23, at Arcade Creek CC Course in Sacramento, California.
 
#marauders#