SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Lewis & Clark College women's cross country senior Malia Heien used a late surge to finish 129^th overall, on Saturday morning at the NCAA DIII Cross Country National Championship Meet. 
 
With temperatures in the mid-70s and the sun beating down, Heien and head coach Chris Reed put together a race plan focused on saving energy for a final push. 
 
Heien would do just that. She sat 205^th after the first kilometer but would steadily move up through the pack. Over the next 1K, Heien passed 42 runners to move up to 163^rd. She would sit 154^th at the midway point of the race (3K). After a slight dip at the 4K mark (162^nd overall), the senior would hit 5K sitting in 156^th place. 
 
That's when Heien made her second huge surge of the day. She passed 27 runners over the final kilometer to cross the finish line in 129^th place. She posted a final time of 23:01.7. 
 
MALIA HEIEN'S POST RACE THOUGHTS 
 
"I went into the Nationals race hoping to place 125th or better, and I came pretty close at 129th which I am happy with. The race itself was pretty tough with the heat, but I think I was able to move up well throughout the race. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to race at three cross country national championships. There's nothing that can match the energy of the racers, coaches, and fans at a national meet. I love getting to experience the appreciation cross country deserves. 
 
I have been dealing with a sprained left ankle and tendonitis in the right ankle for the last 5 weeks or so, and I was pretty certain I would not be able to qualify for the national championship this year. Anyone that has seen me at practice since mid-October knows that it has taken several braces, ankle tape, orthotics, and compression sleeves to get me off the line. I appreciate all of the coaches and teammates that have continued to pick me up every time I have fallen (literally and metaphorically) throughout the season. I know I wouldn't have made it to the race today without them. I am happy to have ended my cross country career at the biggest stage- even with my clunky ankle brace :)" 
 
COACH CHRIS REED'S POST RACE THOUGHTS 
 
"This is a really hard to meet to make, and to make it three years in a row is a testament to her hard work and belief in herself. She's a very fitting and well-deserving 'Last Pioneer.'
 
In terms of her race, we knew that a conservative start was going to be the play. It was hot, and the men's race told us a lot about how tough it would be out there today. She executed very well: she moved up throughout the race, and her final kick was awesome to watch."
 
BY THE NUMBERS 

• Heien became only the fifth runner in school history to compete at Cross Country Nationals three times. She joins L&C Hall of Famers Chris Miller (1962-64), Tamma Carleton (2005-07) and Emily Thomas (2010-12) and former teammate and current assistant coach Riley Buese (2022-24) in accomplishing the feat. 
• In three trips to Cross Country Nationals, Heien finished 125^th (2023), 129^th (2025) and 135^th (2024). She finished in the top-half of the 294-competitor field all three seasons. 
• Heien closed out her career as a four-time All-Conference and All-Region honoree and a three-time NCAA qualifier. She owns the seventh-fastest 6K time (21.50.7) and fifth-fastest 5K time (18:04.6) in program history. 
• Heien was the final Lewis & Clark varsity student-athlete to represent Lewis & Clark as a Pioneer. With the conclusion of the Fall season, all current and future L&C student-athletes will compete under the new River Otters moniker.  

WHAT'S NEXT 
 
Heien and Lewis & Clark's cross country team members will turn their eyes towards the track & field season in 2026. Track & field will kick off their season after the students return from winter break in late January.