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Posted: Nov 29, 2023

Harper successfully defends NJCAA crown, Alberts sprints to individual national title

(Image courtesy of NJCAA)
(Image courtesy of NJCAA)

HUNTSVILLE, ALA. - Harper College was a dominant force at the 2023 NJCAA Women's Cross Country Championships at John Hunt Park, winning the Division III title for the second consecutive year and the fifth time in school history. Sophomore Lilly Alberts coasted to an individual national championship as the Hawks paced a healthy contingent of 23 Region 4 runners in both Division III and Division II.

Bolstered by three top 20 finishers, Harper College amassed 54 points to top second place Jefferson College at 71 points. The College of DuPage finished seventh with 169 points. Alberts, who placed third a year ago, improved her time and broke the tape in 18:15.8 to win by 48 seconds. Teammate and fellow second year Kaili Decker was eighth overall at 20:19.3 to join Alberts on the NJCAA All-American Team. The Chaparrals' Carmen Solis crossed the finish line in 19:47.9 to place third and also earn First Team NJCAA All-American. Coach James Macnider was named the USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year and Central Region Coach of the Year. Harper College was a three-peat champion from 2016 to 2018. (Recaps: NJCAA | Harper)

In the Division II field, Waubonsee Community College placed 30th with 763 points and Sauk Valley Community College was 38th at 980 points. The duo of Sharon Yego and Damaris Kimaiyo of Carl Sandburg College were the top individual runners from the region, placing 28th (19:48.6) and 29th (19:49.5), respectively.

2023 NJCAA Division II & III Women's Cross Country Championships Final Results