By Journal Sports Staff

JOPLIN, Mo. – No. 11-ranked Northern Michigan University finished in ninth place at the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championships cross country meet held here on Saturday morning.

Running on the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course, the Wildcats scored 319 points, securing their seventh top-10 finish since 2000 but first since 2005.

“What an exciting day for the Wildcats,” Northern head coach Jenny Ryan said. “They ran their hearts out today for NMU. I am very proud of this team. Finishing in the top 10 in the country is such a great accomplishment.”

The Wildcats had four runners in the first 100 to cross the finish line, led by sophomore Vivian Hett, who took 57th in a time of 21 minutes, 42.7 seconds. Another sophomore, Kameron Burmeister of Menominee, was just a few seconds behind, placing 60th in 21:45.8.

Rounding out NMU’s top four was sophomore Caroline Brisbois, who placed 85th in 22:06.7, and freshman Sophie McDonald, 93rd in 22:10.6.

Also running for Northern was senior Megan Edic, who came in 106th in 22:14.7; freshman Hannah Lonergan, 164th in 22:49.9; and freshman Sarah Goble, 212th in 23:33.9.

The Wildcats made the national championship field for the first time since 2005 by placing fourth at the NCAA Midwestern regional.

No. 2 nationally ranked Adams State won the team title with 83 points, while No. 13 University of Mary’s Alexis Zeis took home the individual crown after running the course in 20:03.4.

A pair of GLIAC teams rounded out the top three. No. 1 Grand Valley State was runner-up with 97 points, while No. 3 Hillsdale scored 140.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.