Lansing Sun

Behind a notable performance by freshman Rachel Forsyth, the Michigan State women's cross country team concluded their season by finishing 21st at the NCAA Championship. The event took place on Saturday morning at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course in Madison, Wisconsin.

The young Spartan team did not return any of their previous scorers from last year's squad that finished 16th in the 6k race. Despite this change, Michigan State showcased a strong effort led by Forsyth, who finished 16th with a time of 19:49.1. Her methodical progress through the pack earned her a spot in the top 20 and made her the top finisher from the Big Ten.

Forsyth's performance earned her first-team All-American honors, marking her as the first Spartan to achieve this since Jenna Magness in 2021.

"I just think it speaks to our program and the choices that our women are making on a consistent basis to be able to handle a season of growth and keep coming and believe in our model that we are going to run at our best at the end of the season and staying with it," MSU Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Lisa Breznau said. "We've told them after each race you're literally learning in the moment. Right now, you're doing a great job. Let's keep going. Kaitlyn Hynes has kind of adopted this philosophy of breathe and believe when she races. And I think it suits us really well just to keep reminding ourselves of, hey, at our best, we do these things really well. And so super proud of them."

Kaitlyn Hynes was next for Michigan State, finishing with a time of 20:26.5, while Taylor Ewert completed her race in 151st place with a time of 20:51.6 during what was described as a brisk morning in Madison. Olivia Millen (21:12.3) and Sophia Lucki (21:19.1) contributed to rounding out Michigan State's scoring.

The Spartan women have qualified for NCAA Championships for an impressive streak of 24 consecutive years. They secured an at-large bid after achieving fourth place at the Great Lakes Regionals held in Norton, Ohio.

Riley Hough represented Michigan State men’s team as an individual entrant in the men's 10k race, finishing his first NCAA Championship strongly by placing 80th with a time of 29:47.2.

"Similar for our guys as well, just to not make it to this meet but know that the team we tied with t Regionals finished 20th (Butler)," Breznau commented regarding future aspirations for both genders' teams participating together next year.

Michigan State will take some rest before commencing their indoor track & field season starting December.