Wieferich Places 14th in Nation, Earning Third All-American Honor of Running Career

Katie Wieferich had to overcome a muddy course to earn All-America honors.

The College of Wooster’s Katie Wieferich ran her way to All-American honors Saturday afternoon, finishing in 14th-place out of a field of 279 at the NCAA Div. III Cross Country Championships. It marked the senior standout’s third career All-American recognition, but first in cross country after a pair of top-five national showings in track last spring.

Wieferich not only had to battle a talented group of harriers on Saturday, but challenging conditions on the course at Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio. She was part of the lead pack through the first 3000 meters of the 6K race, according to Wooster head coach Dennis Rice, but the mud got the best of her the second half. Overall, she crossed in a time of 23:24, just five seconds shy of the top-10.  

“It was very demanding. The course was underwater,” commented Rice. “She ran a super race. She was an All-American, so it’s a great way to wrap up her fall season and cross country career.”

Sarah Zerzan of Willamette University was the individual winner (22:31), while Middlebury College won the team championship.