NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Lipscomb Bisons claimed the 2023 Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Cross Country crown on Saturday morning, and did so for the second-straight season in stylish fashion after winning the team title with 15 points – a 59-tally cushion on second place – for the largest margin of victory in ASUN history. Kiara Carter of Lipscomb earned Runner of the Year after crossing the finish line first with a 16:54.56.
The Bisons rolled their way to the first-place finish, and a new ASUN record for lowest winning team total after claiming the opening five finishers in the event and six of the top seven on the First Team All-ASUN list. The Bisons' Harley Kletz took home Freshman of the Year honors after coming in third with a 17:03.39. EKU's Bahiya El Arfaoui finished in sixth place and netted a spot on First Team All-ASUN as well (17:24.90).
Lydia Miller of Lipscomb came in as the league's runner-up for the second consecutive season after posting a 16:58.84. Teammates Colbi Borland (17:16.57), Ellie Brewer (17:18.60) and Mackenzie Barnett (17:26.71) rounded out the top seven.
The conference's top squad put 10 student-athletes on All-ASUN lists, while second-place finisher EKU saw three of its runners named All-ASUN. Kennesaw State, who came in third, grabbed four placements on All-ASUN and were led by Emma Sullivan (8th, 17:28.59).
First Team All-ASUN
1. Kiara Carter, Lipscomb (16:54.56) - Runner of the Year
2. Lydia Miller, Lipscomb (16:58.84)
3. Harley Kletz, Lipscomb (17:03.39)
4. Colbi Borland, Lipscomb (17:16.57)
5. Ellie Brewer, Lipscomb (17:18.60)
6. Bahiya El Arfaoui, EKU (17:24.90)
7. Mackenzie Barnett, Lipscomb (17:26.71)
Second Team All-ASUN
8. Emma Sullivan, Kennesaw State (17:28.59)
9. Anouk Van Gils, EKU (17:28.82)
10. Liza Corso, Lipscomb (17:29.02)
11. Leonie Saurer, Lipscomb (17:34.67)
12. Juliet Tonkin, Stetson (17:35.18)
13. Abigail Horevay, Lipscomb (17:35.50)
14. Sonia Koech, EKU (17:37.87)
Third Team All-ASUN
15. Zoe Smith, Kennesaw State (17:38.25)
16. Ciara Miles, Kennesaw State (17:41.51)
17. Smilla Kolbe, North Florida (17:42.04)
18. Madeline Hill, Central Arkansas (17:43.00)
19. Blair Durda, Stetson (17:44.45)
20. Faith Bobak, Kennesaw State (17:46.62)
21. Mollie Longmire, Lipscomb (17:48.01)
All-Freshman Team
Harley Kletz, Lipscomb (17:03.39) - Freshman of the Year
Bahiya El Arfaoui, EKU (17:24.90)
Leonie Saurer, Lipscomb (17:34.67)
Sonia Koech, EKU (17:37.87)
Madison Seiler, Kennesaw State (18:02.90)
Coach of the Year
Nick Polk, Lipscomb
Team Scores
1. Lipscomb, 15
2. Kennesaw State, 74
3. EKU, 88
4. North Florida, 122
5. Central Arkansas, 139
6. Queens, 194
7. Bellarmine, 197
8. Stetson, 220
9. North Alabama, 256
10. Austin Peay, 279
11. FGCU, 299
12. Jacksonville, 323