DUBUQUE, Iowa –
Keelee Leitzen continued her standout season as the Loras College women's cross country team posted several personal bests at the American Rivers Conference Cross Country Championships.
Leitzen, who was named both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Runner, set a 26-second personal record which sits fourth on Loras' all-time list with a first-place finish in 21:24.1.
Paige Jacobs earned all-conference honors with a 46-second personal best and an 18-place improvement from last year's conference championship, finishing in 22:49.5.
Bailey Vaughan also earned all-conference recognition, placing 18th in 22:53.9, a higher finish than at the previous conference meet.
Ivy Glendening improved her personal best by 13 seconds, moving up 15 spots from last year, while
Savannah Davis posted a 1:12 personal record to finish as the team's fifth scorer for the first time this season in 23:22.9. Other season highlights included
Hunter Jones with a 29-second season best and
Sarah Gibson posting a 44-second personal record.
Adlfinger noted the team benefited from ideal conditions at home, competing on a fast course in front of family and friends.
"We had a ton of lifetime bests, which was great to see at the conference meet," said Adlfinger. "The conference is very competitive, so having three all-conference runners is something I'm proud of.
Paige Jacobs went from 79th in her first A-R-C Championship to 16th as a senior, that's what our program is truly about."
Leitzen's performance capped a carefully executed plan. "She ran to the plan perfectly, and the result was a conference championship. Keelee is a tremendous runner and a coach's dream, with her knowledge and commitment to herself, her teammates, and running."
The team has been maximizing its potential this season, making for an exciting and rewarding campaign, and Adlfinger is looking forward to the weeks ahead and the program's future.
Up next: The Purple and Gold will travel to Waverly, Iowa, for the Division III Midwest Regional on Saturday, Nov. 15, with the race scheduled to begin at noon.
Women's Team Scores
- Wartburg – 31 points
- Central – 43 points
- Loras – 73 points
- Nebraska Wesleyan University – 140 points
- Luther – 147 points
- University of Dubuque – 176 points
- Buena Vista University – 177 points
- Simpson – 205 points
- Coe – 244 points
