DEC 5, 2024 | SPORTS | By Rex Karjian
On Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Ind., the Colorado College Tigers ran hot despite the brisk Indiana morning weather, finishing in a program-record sixth place in the NCAA Division III Championship meet, crowning three All-Americans. The outstanding performance at the national championship epitomized a season that exceeded expectations and set the program’s bar higher than ever.
Eight CC runners competed in the NCAA DIII Championship, capping their historic season. Seven Tigers from the women’s team competed: Isabel Olsen ‘25, Sydney Rankin ‘25, Elliot Singer ‘25, Britt Helgaas ‘25, Alison Mueller-Hickler ‘26, Abby Goodfried ‘26 and Charlie Flint ‘27. Will Shufflit ‘27 was the sole representative from the men’s team after a strong performance at the West Regional meet a week earlier, which earned him an individual bid.
“Today was a really good day for both Will [Shufflit] and the women’s team. Coming into this season, I don’t think this was on anybody’s radar,” head coach Alex Nichols said in a post-race interview.
The Tiger’s strong performance at Nationals shattered their previous best finish of 12th, encapsulating the quick growth the program has seen in recent years.
In September, the Tigers were ranked No. 1 nationally by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country (USTFCCCA) poll after their upset win in the John McNichols Invitational. Not only was it the highest ranking in program history, but their jump from No. 17 to No. 1 was the largest jump to the top spot in the National Coaches poll history, regardless of division.
At the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) championship, the Tigers posted a perfect 15-point score to win their fourth consecutive conference title. Nine Tigers were named to the All-SCAC team, and Rankin won the SCAC individual title.
Despite being bested by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at West Regionals the following week and failing to grab the automatic bid to Nationals, the Tigers were able to snag an at-large bid, eventually avenging that loss and culminating a season full of progress.
Not only was the team performance at the national championship decisive but it was also accompanied by emphatic individual performances.
Seniors Olsen and Rankin led the women’s team individually, finishing 10th and 24th and earning All-American honors. Olsen’s top ten finish was the best ever for a Tiger at Nationals, breaking a 31-year-old record.
Sophomore Shuflit finished 30th, becoming the seventh men’s All-American runner in program history and capping off an excellent sophomore campaign. Shuflit set a new school record earlier in the season in the 8k at the Augustana Invitational on Oct. 19, and he won a SCAC individual title at the conference championship meet on Nov. 2.
“It shows the progress of the program in general. Last year we were 22nd, and [to go] from 22nd to 6th in one year is really awesome,” said Nichols.
Nichols will return for his fifth season with the Tigers next fall. Nichols was named SCAC Coach of the Year on Nov. 27, his fourth title win in his four years as head coach. Nichols also serves as the assistant track and field coach.
The Tigers will graduate five seniors this year, including Olsen, Rankin, Singer and Helgaas. Their season accolades include four All-SCAC Runners, two All-Region runners and two All-Americans, and their athletic and leadership experiences will open new roles for underclassmen.
While losing a strong senior class can be detrimental to teams, the Tigers’ depth will surely shine and help them succeed. The team’s junior class includes four All-SCAC runners, Muller-Hickler, Goodfried, Liz White and Brooktie Frogge, as well as underclassmen like Flint, who earned All-SCAC and All-Region honors that will look to help lead the team to future success.