Steinmetz named Frontier Conference Runner of the Week

HELENA, Mont. -- Freshman Grace Steinmetz, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, has been named the Frontier Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.

Steinmetz earned the honor following a breakout performance at the Gans Creek Classic, hosted by the University of Missouri, where she placed runner-up in a field stacked with NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA, and NJCAA talent.

She crossed the line in 21:33.7 for the six-kilometer race, establishing a new program record and averaging 5:47 per mile. The performance shaved seven seconds off the previous school best and currently stands as the fifth-fastest time in the NAIA this season.

"Grace ran fearlessly again," Head Coach Craig Christians said. "A runner-up finish at a meet like this is no small feat. She continues to prove she belongs among the best in the country."

Steinmetz's runner-up finish helped lead the Bruins to a 13th-place team finish in the 20-team field, their strongest performance of the season.

The Bruins will return to competition on Friday, Oct. 11, at the Holiday Inn Express Classic, hosted by Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa.