INDIANAPOLIS - A year after hosting the NCAA Championship last year in Newville, the Dickinson cross country program will be represented once again at the national meet as senior Maddie Garber has qualified for the event. 

Game Information
Location: Terre Haute, Ind. | LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course
Start Time: 11 am
Media Links: Course Preview | Live Results | Live Video

Garber, the native of Chantilly, Virginia, has had an outstanding senior campaign so far earning her place in the national event by claiming 14th in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional on Saturday with a time of 21:41.9. That followed a 22:41.7 mark during the Centennial Conference Championship which was good for 11th earning her a Second Team All-Conference selection. She also has a pair of Top-5 finishes so far this season nabbing second in six-kilometer race at the Dickinson Long-Short Invitational (24:46.7) and fourth during the Shenandoah University Twilight Open (19:57.0).

Garber shared her excitement with dickinsonathletics.com about earning this great opportunity:
What does this mean to you to have this opportunity?

• I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to run at the National Championship this weekend and for the chance to run one last cross-country race. Competing again at Nationals has been a goal of mine since freshman year, and I am deeply appreciative to be able to achieve this milestone as a senior.

How has your season been so far? 

• As a senior, this season has been a wonderful opportunity to embrace the sport's process and daily efforts. I was abroad last semester, and by the end of my program, I eagerly anticipated returning to campus and rejoining my team. This season has been an amazing way to conclude my cross-country career. Our team is quite young this year, with nine first-years, and their enthusiasm and positivity has added immense joy to our group. It's been incredible to watch each athlete, both new and returning, improve each week, setting personal bests every race and coming to practice each day wanting to get better. I am excited to continue supporting the team in the coming years and watch them progress even further throughout their college careers!

How have you been able to make it to this point?

• Reaching this point has been possible thanks to the support and belief of my family, coaches, and teammates, both past and present. In particular, I am immensely grateful for my roommate, best friend, and training partner, Myra Naqvi. I wouldn't be the runner I am today without her example of hard work, dedication, and genuine love for the sport. 

What does it mean to be the only Dickinson athlete to compete this weekend?

• I am honored to represent Dickinson Cross Country and my teammates, who have all worked incredibly hard this past season.