CLEVELAND – St. Lawrence’s (N.Y.) Wendy Pavlus demonstrated what just one year of hard work can do for a runner by winning the NCAA Division III national cross country championship today here at the Highland Park Golf Course after finishing 20^th in the same race in 2008.

 

“I wasn’t planning on winning the race, but my fast start gave me confidence to win from the beginning,” said Pavlus, a junior. “With the preparation we did, the weather (mild for late November in Cleveland) favored my abilities to win today. Amy Farrell, my high school coach, gave me the inspiration I needed to use today and I owe my success to her.”

 

Last year’s champion, Marie Borner from Bethel (Minn.), finished second this season, passing Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Ayla Mitchell at the finish line after trailing her in third place upon entering the chute.

 

Pavlus’ winning time of 21:28 was a course record, previously held by Baldwin-Wallace’s Lindsay Brickner. She won by 17 seconds.