SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Today, amid screaming spectators and flags bearing school crests waving in the wind, the Trinity women's cross country raced at the DIII National Championships for the first time since 2017. A black Trinity flag flew high above the Converse College course, greeting Tiger runners around each bend as a pack of teammates yelled themselves hoarse cheering on the seven Trinity competitors.
Gianna Keena (Lakeway, Texas / Lake Travis) finished her senior season right where she started, leading the Tigers on a historic, program-defining run. Keena moved up throughout the race, finishing in 110th place with a time of 22:51. Despite battling an injury for the better part of the season, she has been Trinity's frontrunner throughout, leading the team to a dominant conference championship win and the best finish they have ever had in the West Region.
Anne Snider (Waco, Texas / Live Oak Classical) made up more than 100 places from the first kilometer mark to the finish line, ending in 153rd with a time of 23:12.
Emerson Voldan (Arlington, Texas / Mansfield Summit) also made up significant space during the race, finishing in 176th with a time of 23:20.
Kate Boone (Temple, Texas / Holy Trinity Catholic), who had a breakthrough race to earn her spot on the travel team at conference, finished in 196th with a time of 23:28.
Sophia Munoz (Austin, Texas / Austin) joined her team's trend of making up huge space throughout the race, finishing in 198th with a time of 23:29.
Cali Good (Yucaipa, Calif. / Yucaipa) and
Avery Hand (Abiquiu, N.M. / Terrell Academy) both battled back from injuries that hampered their ability to race during the championship season, coming through for the Tigers to finish 203rd in 23:33 and 241st in 24:04, respectively.
Trinity, entering the race ranked 26th nationally, finished in 27th. The Tigers have set a new tone for the program, ushering in a promising new era in the SAA that has already delivered a conference championship and a bid to the national championship. Of those competing today, only Keena will not return next season, a sign that the next cross country season could bring even more success.
The Tigers will now take some much-needed rest before beginning the indoor track season. Riding on a big wave of momentum, this indoor season will be a fun one, as the team will compete in its first-ever indoor conference championship in the new SAA.
