JOPLIN, Mo.- The University of Minnesota Crookston women's cross country team set a team record at the 2023 NCAA Division II Central Regional in Joplin, Mo., finishing with a 6K time of 24:56. The Golden Eagles have shown vast improvement, running the race in 2021 in 29:49, and in 2022 in 25:49. Minnesota Crookston had their highest finish at a regional, placing 27th of 31 teams.

The Golden Eagles, and all the competitors at the regional, faced warm temperatures and humidity at Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course. 

Minnesota Crookston was paced by Anna Grabowski (Jr., Waterdown, Ontario), with a time of 23:44.58. Madison Hilliard (So., Jacksonville, N.C.) finished in 23:49.33. Grace Alwardt (Fr., Lake Elsinore, Calif.) clocked in at 24:51.89. Emma Williams (Fr., Nashwauk, Minn.) finished in 26:03.35. Katelyn Mack (Jr., Frazee, Minn.) set a personal record with a time of 26:11.93. Evelyn Dupont (Fr., Las Vegas, Nev.) put up her personal record with a time of 26:51.58. Catie Neumann (Fr., Alexandria, Minn.) clocked in at 30:22.61.

Lindsay Cunningham was the individual regional champion with a time of 19:33.28. Winona State University was the team champion. 

The Golden Eagles had their best season as a program, as they made a positive step in their history as a program, since adding the sport in 2019.