MONTICELLO, Ark. — The Ouachita women's cross country team continued its remarkable fall season with a second-place finish out of 12 member schools at the Great American Conference Championship on Saturday, hosted by the University of Arkansas–Monticello.

The Tigers tallied 64 points and placed six runners inside the top 20. Two seniors earned All-GAC First-Team and four other runners earned Second-Team honors. 

Senior Katelynn Nachtigal led the charge to take fourth place with a personal-best time of 17:51.83, which is the second-fastest 5K time in program history. Fellow senior Allison Hylkema followed close behind in sixth place at 18:00.21, giving Ouachita two runners selected to the All-GAC First-Team.

Ouachita showcased an exceptional strategy as four Tigers ambushed the finish line close together to claim the final four spots on the All-GAC Second-Team. Senior Elise Knight (17th, 18:33.57), along with juniors Lucy Holden (18th, 18:36.21, personal best), Blair Turpen (19th, 18:36.74) and Emelia Eriksson (20th, 18:38.16, personal best), finished within five seconds of each other to land on the All-GAC Second-Team. 

The Tigers were recognized for more than just excellence on the course as seniors Allison Hylkema, Elise Knight, and Abby McElhaney were three of the 10 women to earn GAC Elite Scholar Athletes for maintaining a cumulative 4.0 GPA. 22 athletes for the Ouachita women's team were named to the 2025 GAC Academic Honor Roll, which were both the most selections from any member school. 

Junior Ellie Hoemann rounded out Ouachita's top seven, finishing 21st overall in 18:39.89, and is expected to travel and compete at the upcoming NCAA Central Region Championship. With momentum building and a balanced senior class igniting the charge, Ouachita will have two weeks to turn its focus to the NCAA Central Region Championship, hosted by Missouri Southern State at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course in Joplin, Mo.