The Warriors’ racing Marissas ran their way to a title and to the national championships on Saturday.

Waldorf’s Marissa Kuik successfully defended her North Star Athletic Association cross country championship, while Marissa Widener earned All-NSAA honors with a seventh-place finish at the NSAA cross country championships hosted by Viterbo at the Maple Grove Venues.

“(Saturday) both Marissas fought hard, ran lifetime bests and qualified for nationals,” Waldorf head coach Kayla Kregel said. “Marissa Kuik earned a conference record, first place and Runner of the Meet.

“Widener battled through a tough field to put herself into a qualifying position,” Kregel said.

Kuik won the individual title in a big way with the fastest time in Waldorf history at the 5-kilometer distance, clocking a championship time of 18 minutes, 23.1 seconds. Her nearest rival, Valley City State’s Grace Miller, finished 48 seconds behind the Warrior champion.

Along with a second-straight NSAA Cross Country title, Kuik also earned a second straight berth to the NAIA National Championship, held Friday, Nov. 16, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

As for Widener, she ran a phenomenal race to place seventh and earn her first trip to nationals, clocking a time of 20:03.3.

The top finishes by the Marissas led a fourth-place team effort for Waldorf, which finished with 97 points on the day.

Bailey Matthaidess was next for the Warriors women in 24th in 22:42.7, then came Mindy Barchenger, who was 31st at 23:46.6; Natasha Troxel was 34th in 24:26.7 and Clara Roderick was 41st in 27:15.6.

Adding to the day’s success on the men’s side were Andrew Murley, who finished 18th overall in 28:09.6 on an 8k course and Bryce Elm, who was 20th in 28:26.2 for Waldorf, which was sixth as a team with 131 points.

“Our men all ran together for the first time all season,” Kregel said. “Andrew came back and led us, even though he hasn’t raced since the first meet of the year due to an injury.

“Bryce laid his heart on the line, but wasn’t able to finish like we had hoped.”

Kobi Sadler was next for the Warriors, finishing 24th in 28:51.0, then came Jessa Vega in 34th in 30:23.7, Jaden Dawson in 35th in 30:36.5, Chase Bennett in 40th in 31:50.7 and Jack Warmann in 41st in 32:25.9.

“Kobi, Chase, Jaden and Jack all improved a lot this season as freshmen and I can’t wait to see what their future holds,” Kregel said.

Dickinson State won the women’s team title with 30 points, while Dakota State won the men’s title with 36 points led by individual men’s champion Braden Curnow, who finished in 25:56.1.

Along with the Warriors two Marissas earning All-Conference honors, Waldorf’s Sadler and Teaganne Versluis were honored as Champions of Character at the meet.

“Both represent Waldorf cross country in a high manner and should not go unnoticed,” Kregel said.