PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Ainara Sainz de Rozas is an All-American! A junior distance runner from Madrid, Spain, Ainara Sainz de Rozas claimed NCAA Division III All-America honors on Friday evening in the 5000-meter run.
On Friday evening, she finished in seventh place with a time of 17:03.77 to claim All-American honors.
"It's a dream come true," said Ainara Sainz de Rozas. "It's been a crazy and unique journey to get here, and I am so thankful for everyone who has helped through it all. This is just the beginning and the sky is the limit!"
Sainz de Rozas is claiming her first All-American honor, in her second appearance at an NCAA Division III Championship. She also qualified for the 2024 NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana, in November.
The fourth Falcon to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, joining the like of Nicole Larson, Ariel Kinlow and Amanda Kuca.
She also becomes the fourth All-American with Amanda Kuca claiming the honor in the 5000-meter run in 2005 and 2006 and Nicole Larson in the pole vault in 2016.
Sainz de Rozas ran a consistent race and jumped two positions in her final two laps. Her final two laps were her fastest of the day at 39.50 and 35.25.
"It was an incredible performance today to end Ainara's indoor season," said head coach Russ De Lap. "She competed hard, kept her composure being jostled around, and made every move when the opportunity presented itself. Was such a great race to witness and so happy for Ainara and all the work she put in to get here."
Faith Duncan of Wilmington (Ohio) was the national champion at 16:31.42.
Joining Sainz de Rozas and Duncan on the podium were Penelope Greene of SUNY Geneseo, Riley Buese of Lewis & Clark, Evelyn Battleson-Gunkel of Chicago, Rejuta Sane of MIT, Audrey Maclean of Middlebury and Hannah Preisser of Carleton.
In order to qualify as an All-American, an athlete must finish in the top eight of their event at the national championships.
The Falcons are in 29th place as a team with two points.
Sainz de Rozas and the Falcons return to action in the outdoor season on March 22 at the Rose-Hulman Early Bird Invite.
