BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—University of Evansville senior cross country runner Andrea Sonnenschein (Poy Sippi, Wis./Berlin) concluded her Purple Aces’ running career in record fashion on Saturday, as she posted the highest NCAA Regional Championship finish in school history, placing 40th out of 213 runners in the women’s 6-K event.

Sonnenschein clocked in with a time of 22:07.74, just five seconds off of her own 6-K school record, set as a freshman. Sonnenschein’s 40th-place finish is the best of any Purple Ace at the annual NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships, and her 6-K time ranks as the second-fastest on record at UE.

“Andrea ran a great race,” said UE head coach Don Walters. “It is only fitting for her to conclude her career in record fashion, as she basically owns the entire UE record book. It has been an honor to coach her over these last four years, as she is not only a great runner, but she is an even better person.”

As a team, the UE women finished 26th out of 30 teams. Freshman Melissa Truex finished second on the team and 148th overall in a 6-K time of 23:55.38, while senior Andrea Hoy concluded her UE career with a time of 24:03.81 to place 150th overall.

Nicole Edwards of Michigan won the overall women’s title in a time of 20:30.76, while the Spartans of Michigan State edged rival Michigan, 60-63, for the overall team title. 

UE Women's Results (all times for 6-K, out of 213 runners)

40 Andrea Sonnenschein 22:07.74
148 Melissa Truex 23:55.38
150 Andrea Hoy 24:03.81
161 Arrena Svoboda 24:15.75
167 Courtney Heller 24:24.62
183 Jaclyn Kern 24:52.93
192 Franny Enzler 25:12.80