Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, November 23
Terre Haute, Ind.
Eastern Michigan University
at
NCAA Championships
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Cizmas Wraps Up 2019 Cross Country Season
11/23/2019 2:33:00 PM | Women's XC
The EMU graduate student finishes her decorated career at NCAA Championship race
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's cross country team wrapped up the 2019 season at the NCAA Championships Saturday, Nov. 23, as graduate student Natalie Cizmas (Clinton Twp., Mich.-Chippewa Valley) represented the Eagles at the national meet for a program-record fourth consecutive season.
"Natalie had a solid race," said head coach Sue Parks. "It wasn't quite what we wanted but she battled hard the whole way. She got out further back than we hoped and it was just too difficult to move up in the mud."
Cizmas, who earned an individual bid to the NCAA Championships on the strength of a top-10 finish at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional, Nov. 15, ended the national meet in 88th place with a time of 21:11.8. This marks the 12th time in program history, and sixth time in the last seven years, that EMU had at least one runner compete at the title race.
"She's had an amazing career at Eastern and I'm super proud of all of her accomplishments," added Parks. "She's earned everything through hard work and determination. She's been the ultimate team player and an amazing representative for Eastern Michigan. I'm sad to see her leave but excited to see what the future holds for her."
Cizmas concludes the 2019 campaign as the individual Mid-American Conference runner-up, and gained selection to the All-MAC First Team and the NCAA Great Lakes All-Region Team for the second-straight year. In addition to four straight MAC championships with the Green and White, Cizmas brought home the 2018 MAC individual crown, along with a total of three First-Team All-MAC honors and one Second-Team All-MAC award.
With the cross country season in the rear-view mirror, Eastern will start the indoor track and field slate at the GVSU Big Meet, Friday, Dec. 6, in Allendale, Mich.
"Natalie had a solid race," said head coach Sue Parks. "It wasn't quite what we wanted but she battled hard the whole way. She got out further back than we hoped and it was just too difficult to move up in the mud."
Cizmas, who earned an individual bid to the NCAA Championships on the strength of a top-10 finish at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional, Nov. 15, ended the national meet in 88th place with a time of 21:11.8. This marks the 12th time in program history, and sixth time in the last seven years, that EMU had at least one runner compete at the title race.
"She's had an amazing career at Eastern and I'm super proud of all of her accomplishments," added Parks. "She's earned everything through hard work and determination. She's been the ultimate team player and an amazing representative for Eastern Michigan. I'm sad to see her leave but excited to see what the future holds for her."
Cizmas concludes the 2019 campaign as the individual Mid-American Conference runner-up, and gained selection to the All-MAC First Team and the NCAA Great Lakes All-Region Team for the second-straight year. In addition to four straight MAC championships with the Green and White, Cizmas brought home the 2018 MAC individual crown, along with a total of three First-Team All-MAC honors and one Second-Team All-MAC award.
With the cross country season in the rear-view mirror, Eastern will start the indoor track and field slate at the GVSU Big Meet, Friday, Dec. 6, in Allendale, Mich.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's XC
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