Steinmetz Awarded Frontier XC Runner of the Week Honors

HELENA, Mont. -- Fresh off her commanding performance at last week's Dordt Holiday Inn Express Classic, freshman Grace Steinmetz has been named the Frontier Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week. It marked the second time this season she has won the honor. 

Earlier this week, Steinmetz was named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NAIA National Runner of the Week. 

Steinmetz was the overall champion at Dordt Holiday Inn Express Classic in Sioux Center, Iowa. She turned in the fastest time among 246 runners in two races that included NCAA Division I, II, and NAIA athletes.

Her six-kilometer time of 20:40.4 broke her own school record of 21:33.7 set two weeks ago. 

She shattered the old Dordt Prairie Course record of 21:52.6 by 1:12. 

Steinmetz currently ranks second nationally in the 6K in the NAIA behind Jaynie Halterman of Taylor University, 20:04.7. Halterman and Steinmetz are the only two runners in the NAIA who have run sub-21:00 this fall.

The Bruins will compete against NAIA-only competition next on Oct. 25 at the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic, hosted by Doane University and the College of Saint Mary. The meet will be held at Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Nebraska, with the first race starting at 10:00 a.m.