Huntsville, AL:Â The Harper women's cross-country team is heading south to Huntsville, Alabama, for the 2026 NJCAA Division III National Championships, set for Saturday, November 14, at John Hunt Park.
The Hawks will take on some of the top junior college programs in the country in the 5k national championship race, looking to finish their season on a high note.
Harper enters the national championship with a proud tradition of success. The women's program has captured five NJCAA Division III national championships, including three consecutive titles from 2016 through 2018 and back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. The Hawks have also finished as national runners-up five times, most recently in 2024.
This year's squad features a young group of runners, with six freshmen and sophomore Lucy Reyna making up the 2026 roster. The experience gained throughout the season will be important as the Hawks prepare to compete against experienced teams from across the country.
Head coach Jim Macnider, now in his 16th season leading the Harper cross-country program, will guide the Hawks into another national championship appearance alongside assistant coaches John Majerus and Dianne Barajas.
The national meet will provide an opportunity for Harper's young roster to measure itself against the best competition in NJCAA Division III. With a challenging 5k ahead, team depth and the ability to work together will be important factors in determining the Hawks' final standing.
Before Saturday's championship, the Hawks shared their thoughts on their season, individual goals and what they hope to accomplish on the national stage.
Albrecht Looks to Finish First Collegiate Season Strong
Amanda Albrecht has emerged as Harper's leading runner throughout her first collegiate cross-country season, finishing second individually at the Region IV Championships in 21:14.4. Albrecht credited trusting the process and remaining consistent throughout the season as the biggest factors behind her development.
"I think trusting the process and staying consistent throughout the season have contributed the most to my success," Albrecht said. "I was definitely surprised by how well I performed and how much I was able to improve as the season went on."
As one of the leaders of a relatively young Harper roster, Albrecht has also embraced her role in supporting and encouraging her teammates. She believes the team's chemistry and the ability to push each other during practices and races have played an important part in everyone's development.
"I've tried to use my role on the team to support my teammates and encourage them throughout the season," Albrecht said. "Having teammates who push me during practices and races has also been really important because we all motivate each other to get better."
After earning runner-up honors at regionals, Albrecht enters nationals with individual goals of continuing her improvement and running her best race of the season.
"One of my individual goals for nationals is to hopefully break 21:10 in the 5K and just race the best race I can," Albrecht said.
Reyna Embraces Leadership Role as Only Sophomore
As the only sophomore on this year's roster, Lucy Reyna has taken on an important leadership role while helping guide a team made up primarily of freshmen. Reyna said she hopes to be someone her teammates can turn to for advice, support or conversation throughout the season.
"This season being the only sophomore on the team definitely has led me to step up as a leader for the group, someone the girls can come to if they need help or talk to, at least I hope so," Reyna said.
Reyna also transitioned from competing in pole vault during track to running cross country, presenting a different physical challenge throughout the season. Adjusting to increased mileage and the demands of distance running took time, and she occasionally had to remind herself to trust her training while remembering her primary event.
"The transition between pole vault and cross country was pretty difficult in a physical way because very quickly my body showed me signs that increasing my mileage in little time was not good for me at all," Reyna said. "Cross country was physically demanding in a different way than pole vault was, and a couple times I had to remind myself to trust my training and remember my main sport/event."
Despite the challenges, Reyna said the experience taught her that she was capable of more than she initially realized and that learning something new is never too late.
"Regardless, I learned I am stronger than I am and it's never too late to learn new things!" Reyna said.
Heading into her final collegiate cross-country race, Reyna is looking forward to competing with her teammates and helping bring energy to the group. Despite injuries and doubts throughout the season, she believes the team is ready to show what its training has prepared it to accomplish.
"I just want to do the very best I can and end my chapter of cross country on a high note," Reyna said. "I'm very motivated to get my team hype and energetic for this race because despite all the injuries and doubts we may have, I know we're all going to do so well and show off what we've been training for, for the last 4 months!"
Puchalski Looks to Finish Season with Strong National Performance
Cecilia Puchalski has been one of Harper's consistent contributors throughout the season, finishing seventh at the Region IV Championships. Looking back on her development, Puchalski said becoming more mentally resilient while dealing with injuries has been one of her biggest improvements.
"Just being mentally more resilient to injuries during the season and not letting it get to me too much," Puchalski said.
As part of a relatively young roster, Puchalski has enjoyed developing alongside the team's freshmen. She said the group has grown closer throughout the season, especially toward the end, creating an environment where teammates can work together and support one another.
"I think the team this year meshed really well, especially towards the end of the season. It's been fun having multiple freshmen to run with and work together," Puchalski said.
After dealing with injuries throughout the season, Puchalski is looking forward to getting back out and competing at nationals. Her goal is to stay mentally tough throughout the race while working alongside teammate Carly Bierman.
"I'm looking forward to running and competing after dealing with injuries and hopefully have a great last race," Puchalski said. "My goal is to stay tough during the race and pass people with Carly."
Bierman Ready to Make Most of First National Championship
Freshman Bierman has spent her first collegiate cross-country season adjusting to the demands of competing at the next level. One of her biggest adjustments has been balancing the intensity of collegiate training with her class and work schedules.
"The biggest adjustment would be the intensity of the training plus being able to run in between class or before work to keep up with training," Bierman said.
Throughout the season, Bierman has also learned more about her abilities as a runner and the importance of pushing herself through difficult moments.
"As a runner, I have learned I hold myself back a lot, but I am very capable of more. I still struggle pushing myself during the hard times instead of giving up," Bierman said.
Bierman credited the team's growing chemistry for helping make her first collegiate season a positive experience. As the season progressed, the group became closer through practices and meets, creating friendships and a supportive environment.
"I think as the season went on, all of us got closer. Having fun practices and meets boosts our moods and helps everyone be supportive of one another," Bierman said. "My first collegiate season has been very positive and I have made connections I would have never made if I didn't pick this sport."
After finishing 16th at regionals, Bierman enters her first national championship with a goal of continuing to push herself and staying alongside Puchalski throughout the race.
"I have been telling myself the whole trip that this is the meet that I won't give up and keep pushing even if it hurts," Bierman said. "My goal is to stick with my teammate Cecilia and help each other through the race."
For Bierman, a strong team performance would make the work and challenges throughout the season worthwhile.
"For Harper, it would mean all the hard work and injuries this season would pay off. Period. Go Hawks!"
Women's Soccer Players Look to Make Impact
Three women's soccer players are also running for the Hawks. Bridget Gibson, Hana Miltz, and Ariyanna Jasser. The three have joined the team with a good attitude and willingness to compete. While cross country isn't their main sport, they've made sacrifices and strides to help the team. Their depth will be the key to how the Hawks place.
Hawks Ready to Make Their Mark in Huntsville
Harper enters Saturday's national championship with a young roster looking to gain valuable experience against the nation's top NJCAA Division III programs. With Albrecht leading the way, Reyna providing experience and the freshmen continuing to develop, the Hawks have an opportunity to finish their season with a strong performance.
Each runner has faced different challenges throughout the season, from adjusting to collegiate competition to overcoming injuries and taking on new leadership roles. However, the group shares a common goal of representing Harper and making the most of its opportunity on the national stage.
As the season reaches its final race, the Hawks will look to rely on their team chemistry, determination and preparation throughout the 5k course. Saturday's championship provides another opportunity for Harper to add to its successful women's cross-country history and show what this young group can accomplish.
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