By Jane Barnett

On April 5th and 6th, Michigan Running Club (MRun) competed at the NIRCA Track and Field National Championships in Richmond Virginia. Mrun toughed out some hot weather, and the women’s team took home a national championship, with 141 points scored! After taking 4th place last year, this was a spectacular performance that showed off all of the hard work put in by the team this year. This championship follows the NIRCA Cross Country National Championship won in the fall, concluding an extremely successful year for the women’s team.

Freshman Elena Grandados scored an impressive 54 points, in 9 different events, competing in the 100m dash, 200m dash, 400m dash, the 4x100m relay, the 4×400 relay, long Jump, triple jump, discus, and shot put. She was named an All-American in 7 events, and won the triple jump, the 400m and the 200m events.

Sophomore Analiese Shact, scored 24 points in the 800, 1500, and 5k, taking home the win and a new meet record in 1500m.

Freshmen Laney Alig and Sophie Cloutier also had impressive days at nationals. Sophie placed 1st in the 5k and 2nd in the 1500, and Laney placed 2nd in the 5k and 4th in the 1500. Additionally, Sophomore Rachel Mecca placed in the 3k steeplechase, running this event for only the 2nd time ever.

In field events, Freshmen Claire Boomstra and Loryn Canty both placed in shot put, getting 5th and 7th, respectively. Senior Cate Leanord also had an impressive Long Jump performance placing 7th, as well as placing 6th in the 100m hurdles.

Full results of the women’s performances as well as information about the men’s 4th place nationals finish can be found on the NIRCA results site.

GO BLUE!