Warsaw, IN -- The Trailblazer cross country teams took part in the NCCAA division one national championships which was hosted by Grace College and Bethel University, November 15, 2024. Ohio Christian joined 13 other schools in an 8-kilometer race for the men and a 5-kilometer race for the women. There were 97 women's finishers, and 91 men's finishes.

The Lady Blazers finished 5th in the nation. This was the highest placement ever by the women's xc team at the national championship. The team was led by So. Paige Parker who ran a personal best of 19:36, which placed her 12th. This moved her to fourth all-time in program history. She missed becoming an All-American by just two spots or a time of 4.2 seconds.

So. Impreza Rogers was next across the finish line in a personal best time of 20:02, that placed her in 18th. Sr. Lexie Engstrom ran a 20:18, which earned her 22nd place. So. Abigail Kobs ran a 20:42, finishing in 34th. Sr. Jenna Ayer rounded out the squad's scoring by placing 80th, with a big personal best time of 23:15. Graduate Student Darcy Mitchell also ran a personal best time of 23:43, which placed her 85th. Fr. Mercedes Nawrocki finished her first collegiate race in 27:38, placing 97th. The team averaged 20:47 which was a season best and the best team average since 2018.

The men's team placed 7th and was led by Sr. Corry Mientkiewicz, who placed 17th in 26:47. He missed becoming an All-American by seven spots. Fr. Jonah Kiess came across the finish line in 36th place in a new personal best time of 28:01. Sr. Jason Springer finished 40th with a time of 28:10. Graduate Student Evan Caldwell finished his cross country career with a personal best time of 28:27, which placed him 47th. Sr. Payton Herron rounded out the men's scorers by running a 29:42 finishing 64th. Fr. Baily Chabot finished 77th in a time of 30:44. This was the highest men's finish at a cross country National Championship since 2017 when OCU placed fourth at the NCCAA National meet.

Five Trailblazers also earned NCCAA Scholar Athlete Awards. To Qualify an athlete must have a grade point average of 3.40 or higher. The student-athlete must be in at least his/her junior year academically of attendance. The applicant must be making normal progress toward a degree. If the applicant transferred, he/she must have one semester completed at the institution and a 3.40 GPA from each institution attended.

The 2024 NCCAA XC Scholar Athletes include:
Sr. Lexie Engstrom
Graduate Student Darcy Mitchell
Graduate Student Evan Caldwell
Sr. Corry Mientkiewicz
Sr. Jason Springer

This concludes the 2024 Trailblazer cross country season. The Athletes will now recover and turn their attention towards indoor track.