Press Release
Rachel Forsyth Shines as Great Lakes Region Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State’s Rachel Forsyth has been honored as the Great Lakes Region Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year following a remarkable freshman season. Forsyth capped off her successful year with a 16th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, completing the 6k race in a time of 19:49.1 on Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin. Her performance was instrumental in leading the Spartans to a 21st-place finish overall in the championship.
In addition to her regional accolade, Forsyth achieved first-team All-American honors, marking her as the first Spartan to earn such recognition since Jenna Magness in 2021. Her impressive season also saw her named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, following a strong fourth-place finish at the Big Ten Championship held earlier this month in Champaign, Illinois.
This recognition marks a significant milestone for the Michigan State program, as Forsyth is only the fifth runner in Spartan history to receive the Great Lakes Region Women’s Runner of the Year award. The last recipient was Magness in 2020, while Leah O’Connor claimed the honors in 2014, the same year Michigan State secured a National Championship. Emily MacLeod also received the award in consecutive years, 2009 and 2010.
Forsyth’s exceptional achievements not only spotlight her talent but also enhance the reputation of Michigan State’s cross country team, promising a bright future for the program. As the Spartans look ahead, Forsyth remains a pivotal figure in their pursuit of further success in collegiate athletics.
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Photo credit msuspartans.com