PALATINE, Ill. – The Harper College women's cross country program is now firmly established as an NJCAA powerhouse. The Hawks took second place for a second straight year at the 2015 DIII Women's Cross Country National Championship and were honored at the Harper College Fall Sports Banquet for their accomplishments.

A pair of Harper College runners earned All-American honors at the national meet. Ali Gutt (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) finished second place in a time 19:00.2 on the 5K course and was also first place among runners in the team competition.  Leslie Rosiles (Mount Prospect, Ill./Rolling Meadows) placed inside the top-15 with a 12^th place finish in 20:11.4 to garner All-American distinction as well.

Other Hawks runners had strong showings at nationals as well. Silvia Catalan (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) placed 16^th, Dianne Barajas (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Schaumburg) finished in 24^th, and Katie Thevara (Des Plaines, Ill./Elk Grove) placed 51^st.  Veronica Brooks (Arlington Heights, Ill./Battle (Mo.)) placed 72^nd in the meet, and sophomore Cynthia Siddiqui (/Palatine) took 89^th place.

Gutt was voted Team MVP by her teammates. The freshman was also recognized as the NJCAA Division III Women's Athlete of the Week by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Oct. 12.