In a wild final 400 meters that featured multiple lead changes, Karissa Schweizer, a University of Missouri junior, launched a furious kick and came from behind to win the NCAA cross-country championships in Terre Haute, Indiana. Her time for the 6K race, 19:41.6, put her three seconds ahead of prerace favorite Erin Finn, a senior at Michigan, who finished in 19:44.2.

Anna Rohrer, a Notre Dame sophomore who took the lead at the 5K mark but could not hold on down the final straightaway, was third in 19:44.6 over the 6K course. 

Even though she has stellar credentials, Schweizer, who won the SEC cross-country title and the Midwest Regional championships this year and was third at the NCAA outdoor track championships in the 5,000 meters in June, was not mentioned among the premeet favorites. On a day with wind gusts as high as 30 miles per hour, Schweizer hung several meters behind the lead pack of four that separated by halfway.

In the final straightaway, Rohrer, who had a lead of several steps, was first tracked down by Finn, who had made no secret of her desire to earn her first national title on her 22nd birthday. Finn seemed to be on her way to winning with her strong move, although she kept looking back over her left shoulder at Rohrer. 

She did not see Schweizer coming by on her right, in a speed that neither Finn nor Rohrer could hope to match.

“I knew I had third secured and I was just like, oh, I have this other gear, I can kick it in,” Schweizer said. “So I just kicked and I could barely feel my legs, but it felt good.” 

Finn could barely hide her disappointment immediately after the race. “It’s really hard right now,” she said, close to tears. “I thought I had it and I definitely couldn’t have given it any more when she passed me. My legs were giving out. So I’m proud of my effort, but I'm definitely really disappointed right now.”

Schweizer’s performance was not the only upset of the day. The University of Oregon women won the team title with 125 points, only one point over Michigan in second. Colorado, the overwhelming favorite before the meet, was third with 134 points. 

Oregon was led by true freshman Katie Rainsberger, finishing in fourth place with a time of 19:51. Rainsberger Chappell Roan: I Love Running. But Not Anymore Running Shoes - Gear Boston Marathon.

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The men’s race was also full of surprises, as The mens race was also full of surprises, as. A Part of Hearst Digital Media.