Sophomore Connor Vachon finished his first NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships race on Saturday, pushing through adversity, windy conditions, and a snow covered course. 

Vachon (Jenison, Michigan / Jenison HS) crossed the finish line with a time of 26:47.1 on Saturday at the Forest Akers Golf Course in East Lansing, Michigan, to come in 215th in a field of 294 runners as an individual qualifier.

"When you're used to being with a team, even when you're the No. 1 runner, when you get out in this environment and you know you're running just for yourself, it makes it a little more difficult," said head coach Mark Northuis. 

The computer science and mathematics education major from Jenison, Michigan (Jenison HS) has come a long way and is still learning through two seasons with the Flying Dutchmen. 

"Very proud of how Connor ran this year, was the league MVP, made All-Region, and did very well," Northuis said.