Raider Women Open Up at Augustana Twilight

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The wait was finally over for the Raiders as they opened up the cross country season in Sioux Falls for a late-night race. The women's team would return nearly the entire squad, as well as the star-studded incoming freshman class. Notable returners are sophomore Emily Haverdink and junior Caitlin Alberts as they are coming off their NAIA National Championship-qualifying year in 2022.

Haverdink would lead the women through the race, finishing in 67^th place overall amongst the stiff competition of NCAA and NAIA athletes. Following close behind in her best season opening time was Emma Haley coming through in 20:06, seven seconds faster than she opened up in 2022 on the same course. The top 3 on the NWC women's team would be claimed by freshman Brielle Engelmann in 21:04 in her debut collegiate race. But in an even closer battle would be Alberts, Julia Fehr, and Abby Ervin, finishing within just over one second of each other in the final sprint to the finish; Alberts in 21:06.8, Fehr in 21.07.0, and Ervin in 21.08.0. Rounding out the top seven, which is the number who can score points for the team, was freshman Karina Hulzebos.

"It's good to get the first competition under their belts to start the season," said head coach Scott Bahrke. "This race always gives us a good idea of where we're at and where we have to go in the upcoming weeks as we look towards the GPAC Championship. The returners held up as they needed to, and the newcomers stepped up and came to race which was exciting to see. The women have high goals of a team qualifying berth to the NAIA XC Championships, so we are keeping the focus on that and the process that takes."

RAIDER RESULTS

Emily Haverdink 19:21.8 – 67^th
Emma Haley 20:06.7 – 109^th
Brielle Engelmann 21:04.3 – 167^th
Caitlin Alberts 21:06.8 – 172^nd
Julia Fehr 21:07.0 – 173^rd
Abby Ervin 21:08.0 – 174^th
Karina Hulzebos 21:16.6 – 184^th
Megan Bosch 21:20.9 – 190^th
Ellie Zeutenhorst 21:22.4 – 191^st
Lili Nelson 21:26.5 – 195^th
Morgan Ritz 21:58.7 – 225^th
Lauren Derscheid 22:45.1 – 269^th
Olivia Anderson 23:45 – 305^th
Mikayla Johnson 23:46.4 – 307^th
Bree Van Genderen 23:51.8 – 310^th
Kylee Britt 24:59.0 – 331^st
Emma Wilson 25:55.1 – 343^rd

Up Next: The Raider men and women race down the road in Sioux Center, Iowa at the Dordt Sunflower Open. The race on September 9 will start at 10:30 a.m. for the women with the men to follow.

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

Caitlin Jacobsma: 5' 6"; Junior

Olivia Anderson: 5' 9"; Junior

Megan Engelmann: 5' 8"; Junior

Lauren Derscheid: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Abby Ervin: 5' 5"; Junior

Julia Fehr: 5' 2"; Junior

Emma Haley: 5' 9"; Junior

Emily DeGroot: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Mikayla Johnson: 5' 7"; Junior

Morgan Ritz: 5' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Caitlin Jacobsma
: 5' 6"; Junior

Olivia Anderson
: 5' 9"; Junior

Megan Engelmann
: 5' 8"; Junior

Lauren Derscheid
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Abby Ervin
: 5' 5"; Junior

Julia Fehr
: 5' 2"; Junior

Emma Haley
: 5' 9"; Junior

Emily DeGroot
: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Mikayla Johnson
: 5' 7"; Junior

Morgan Ritz
: 5' 0"; Sophomore