HOPKINTON, N.H. – Seniors Kate Sanderson and Rujuta Sane finished first and second in the individual standings to lead the No. 3 MIT women's cross country team to a second-place finish at the 6k 2025 NCAA Division III East Regional Championships on Saturday at the Hopkinton Fairgrounds.
Sanderson was in the lead by the 4k mark of the race and never relinquished her position, pulling away over the final 2k to win in 21:20.1. Sane was at the front of the following pack finishing in 21:26.4.
Sanderson and Sane were the only two MIT runners in the top 15.
Sanderson and Sane, along with
Yasmin Defne Dadikhi of Emerson, have qualified for the NCAA Championship, as the top seven individuals from each regional (70) total, not on a qualifying team, will earn a bid. Only the regional champion earns automatic qualification.
Wellesley finished seventh in the East, while WPI finished 12th. Wheaton finished 14th, and Babson came in 17th. Emerson had a 19th-place finish, while Clark finished 24th.
In the Mideast Region, Coast Guard finished sixth, while Smith had an 11th-place finish. Springfield finished 13th, Salve Regina University finished 16th, and Mount Holyoke College finished 18th.
NCAA Cross Country selections will take place on Sunday, November 16.
USTFCCCA ALL-EAST REGION (Top 35 Finishers):
- 1. Kate Sanderson, MIT
- 2. Rujuta Sane, MIT
- 7. Yasim Defne Dadikhi, Emerson
- 10. Ella Whinney, Wellesley
- 14. Emily Brydges, Wellesley
- 16. Ava Hartman, MIT
- 18. Jessica Meza, MIT
- 21. Jaz Vanderhoof, Wheaton
- 27. Megan Diulus, MIT
USTFCCCA ALL-MIDEAST REGION (Top 35 Finishers):
- 9. Claire Semerod, Coast Guard
- 27. Lucy Kreipke, Smith
- 32. Isabella Hastings, Salve Regina University
- 33. Abby Weygang, Salve Regina University
- 34. Kevyn Fish, Coast Guard
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 20 sports.