HOPKINTON, NH (November 15, 2025) – The Tufts University women’s cross country team delivered an impressive performance on Saturday, clinching the NCAA East Region Championship by defeating MIT at Hopkinton Fairgrounds.
Tufts scored 51 points, edging out MIT’s 61. MIT is a powerhouse, ranked first in the region and third nationally, while Tufts sits second regionally and 17th nationally. Interestingly, four of Tufts’ top runners were making their NCAA East Region debut.
This win marks Tufts’ second East Region title. MIT had previously triumphed in the last three championships, dominating since Tufts’ last win in 2021.
The race was tightly contested. Tufts was a close second at the two-kilometer and four-kilometer checkpoints, but they sprinted ahead in the final stretch to seize victory.
All seven Tufts runners finished in the top 25, earning All-Region recognition for their efforts. Senior Liz Donahue led the team, finishing fifth with a time of 21:36.8 on the six-kilometer course. Sophomore Zoe Margolies took 11th place at 21:50.7.
Notably, first-years Zui Chinchalkar and Lily Simmonds played essential roles in the win. Chinchalkar clocked in at 21:52.3 for 12th place, while Simmonds improved her position significantly, finishing 13th with a time of 21:58.9. She had been 23rd at the four-kilometer mark but surged ahead by the end.
Junior Katya Henisz rounded out the scoring, finishing 15th in 22:06.6. The team also saw strong performances from sophomore Deirdre Flanagan in 19th (22:13.5) and Samara McVey, who set a personal record with a time of 22:24.0 to come in 24th.
MIT’s Kate Sanderson took the individual title with a swift 21:20.1.
This victory not only boosts Tufts’ confidence but also sets the stage for the upcoming NCAA National Championship. It showcases how teamwork and determination can lead to unexpected successes in competitive sports. For those following women’s cross country, it’s exciting to see how this season unfolds.
For further insights on college athletics and cross-country trends, consider checking out the NCAA’s official site NCAA for statistics and updates.
