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Amherst Women Shine at Nationals with Composed, Gritty 16th-place finish

11/22/2025 10:39:00 PM

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- In sweltering, hazardous 75-degree conditions far from their usual New England chill, the Amherst women's cross country team delivered one of their most composed and resilient performances of the season, surging to a 16th-place finish at the NCAA Championship meet, capping off a remarkable upward trajectory for a young and rapidly rising squad.

Head coach Hannah Chapell-Dick praised the Mammoths' maturity under pressure, emphasizing the uniquely intense environment of the national stage. "There is almost nothing that matches the energy and chaos of the thousands of screaming fans at the national XC meet," she said. "In preparing for this meet, we focused on maintaining composure and presence of mind within the cacophony. Instead of being overwhelmed by the noise, the team raced with patience, maturity, and heart."

That steady mindset directly translated into improved performance. Despite the heat and the dramatic shift from northern conditions, the Mammoths far outperformed their seeds, posting strong, tightly packed scoring that showcased both their depth and their promise.

Sophomore Flora Biro once again led the way, charging to 65th overall in 22:27.2 (6:02 pace), followed closely by a breakout race from sophomore Ava Thomas, who finished 109th in 22:50.9 (6:08 pace). First-year Katie Greenwald continued her standout debut season with a 133rd-place finish in 23:03.7 (6:12 pace)-earning recognition as the 12th-fastest freshman in the nation.

Juniors and sophomores rounded out the Mammoths' scoring five to secure Amherst's top-20 finish: Nikki Chopra '26 - 150th in 23:11.1 (6:14) and Audrey Seeger '27 - 178th in 23:20.4 (6:16).

Chapell-Dick credited the team's older leaders for anchoring a roster packed with underclass talent. "While the teams are young and will be dangerous for years to come, we owe much of this stability to our amazing seniors!" she added.

The Nationals result capped a season of steady ascent: 11th at Paul Short, 14th at the Conn College Invite, and now 16th in the nation. With all five scorers returning next year, the Mammoths enter 2025 as a team on the battle-tested, composed, and already proving they can thrive on the sport's biggest stage.

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