JCU Finishes Program-Best 19th at NCAA Championships

11/19/2022 8:32:00 PM | By: Noah Tylutki, Graduate Assistant

Erica Esper improved by 95 spots at the national meet to place 51st at this season's NCAA Championships

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The snowy and icy conditions at Michigan State's Forest Akers Golf Course did not deter the John Carroll women's cross country team at the NCAA Championships.

In what was their third-ever appearance at the national meet, the Blue Streaks had their best finish as a program as they placed 19^th and scored 462 points fresh off winning their second Great Lakes Regional title in three seasons last week.

"I think that's just another feather in the cap for the team to be in the top 20," Blue Streak head coach Kyle Basista said. "There was so much more growth besides just improving a couple places. This is a foundation year for the program, and I'm extremely proud of all the hard work and commitment these ladies have put in all season."

JCU was led by Erica Esper, who finished in 51^st with a time of 22:56.6 after improving by 95 spots from last season's race. Cameron Bujaucius, who is JCU's only four-time national qualifier, came in 59^th in 23:02.0. In all four championships, she finished in the top 75 (62^nd in 2018, 43^rd in 2019, 57^th in 2021).

Freshman Abby Schroff came in 134^th with a mark of 23:42.7. Senior Jennifer Massucci, who ran in her first national championships, placed 160^th (23:52.6). Sarah Weldon came in 204^th (24:09.6) to round out the scorers.

Amanda Keim (230^th, 24:23.2) and Ellie Kitsmiller (256^th, 24:42.9) finished out for John Carroll.

"When I think about the finish, I think about the whole season," Basista said. "We had some returners but we were young as well and we had a lot of people step up. I told the ladies at the end that the men's team went from 19^th to 4^th, and I think the program is at the point where we're ready to make that next jump."

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