Women's Cross Country Wins its First Missouri Valley Conference Championship

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University women's cross country team secured its first-ever Missouri Valley Conference Championship on Friday morning.

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Bruins capture their 1??st @MVCsports ?????????? ?????????????? ?????????? ????#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/os5rOueuU3

— Belmont Cross Country/Track & Field (@BelmontXCTF) October 27, 2023

The Bruins were dominant on the course at Percy Warner Park, placing five runners in the top 15 en route to victory. 

Kaitlyn Vanderkolk led the way for the Bruins in second place with a time of 20:29.8.

Grace Litzinger came in seventh with a personal best time of 21:02.6, with Katie Flaherty following in ninth in 21:16.5.

Brooke Stromsland came close by in 10th with a personal best time of 21:17.8.

Brooke Garter was the final Bruin to secure a top 15 finish as she crossed the line in 21:26.4.

Alexa Fortman finished in 23:02.1 with Carson Wasemiller following in 23:11.3.

Maddy Malczewski and Clara Crain rounded out a near-perfect outing for the Bruins who capitalized on their runner-up finish a year ago. 

Vanderkolk earned the Elite 17 Award for the second-straight year along with garnering All-MVC honors with Litzinger, Flaherty and Stromsland. 

Garter secured all-conference honorable mention.

The Bruins' second conference championship ???? in three seasons ??

? different leagues ??#ItsBruinTime https://t.co/o3oOvO0yaa pic.twitter.com/rYsrgBK4Kw

— Belmont Cross Country/Track & Field (@BelmontXCTF) October 27, 2023

Belmont Individual Finishes
2. Kaitlyn Vanderkolk (20:29.8)
7. Grace Litzinger (21:02.6)*
9. Katie Flaherty (21:16.5)
10. Brooke Stromsland (21:17.8)*
12. Brooke Garter (21:26.4)
61. Alexa Fortman (23:02.1)
65. Carson Wasemiller (23:11.3)*
77. Maddy Malczewski (23:34.9)
87. Clara Crain (24:06.1)

*indicates personal best

A History of Success

- This 2023 MVC Cross Country Championship marks the Bruins' second title in three years and ninth overall in the Bruins' NCAA era. 
- Belmont won the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship four straight years (2001-2004) and again from 2006-2008.
- The Bruins won the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Championship in Nashville at Percy Warner Park.

??: Coach Kate Bucknam and Kaitlyn Vanderkolk recap today's ?????? ???????????????????????? ?????????????? ??#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/3MySlCusOY

— Belmont Cross Country/Track & Field (@BelmontXCTF) October 27, 2023

Up Next
The Bruins will have a week off before traveling to Gainesville, Florida for the NCAA South Regional on Friday, Nov. 10.

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??: https://t.co/BHiUeK2ihT#ItsBruinTime pic.twitter.com/Dy6RzNSVcJ

— Belmont Cross Country/Track & Field (@BelmontXCTF) October 27, 2023

Follow Belmont women's cross country on social media - @BelmontXCTF on Twitter, @belmontwxc on Instagram and @BUXCTF on Facebook - for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. 

#ItsBruinTime