USTFCCCA Release

NEW ORLEANS - Thanks to her performance at the NCAA regional cross country meet last Saturday, Bethel University standout cross country runner Marie Borner (Sr., Cottage Grove, Minn.) has been named the Central Region Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

As a senior and defending national champion, Borner turned in one of her most impressive seasons yet, posting first place finishes in both the MIAC Championships and the Central Regional Championships with times of 21:43 and 21:15, respectively. Her win in the MIAC Championships was her third straight, and makes her the first runner in over 20 years to accomplish such a feat. Her first place finish in the Central Region meet was her second straight as well. Borner was also recently named the MIAC Most Valuable Athlete in Women's Cross Country for the third consecutive year. Other highlights include setting a course record at Riverside Park against Augsburg and winning her first Roy Griak Invitational title on Sept. 26.

Marie Borner, along with fellow All-Central Region teammate Heather Jelen, are scheduled to participate in the Division III National Meet on Nov. 21, near Cleveland, Ohio. Borner won the national championship last year with a time of 20:43.