BETHLEHEM, Pa. – It was a milestone afternoon for the Haverford College women's cross country team at the 2026 NCAA Division III Metro Regional Championships on Saturday, as the Fords placed fourth overall with 99 points, earned five All-Region selections and celebrated senior Anastasia Jaycobs becoming the program's first NCAA Championships qualifier since Katie Hirsche accomplished the feat in 2022.
Competing at the Goodman Cross Country Course, Haverford delivered an impressive team performance, placing all five scoring runners among the top 35 finishers to secure All-Metro Region recognition. The five All-Region selections marked the most for the Fords since the program moved into the Metro Region in 2021, highlighting a significant achievement for the Scarlet and Black.
Jaycobs led the way with a seventh-place finish, crossing the line in 22:14.0 to secure an individual berth to the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. Her performance marked a significant milestone for the program, ending a four-year absence from the national championship field. The senior finished just 24.2 seconds behind the individual champion, securing a top-10 finish in a competitive regional field. Jaycobs also placed just two-tenths of a second ahead of eighth-place Isabella Gabay of Stevens, showcasing the tightly packed nature of the championship race. Jaycobs' performance represented another impressive accomplishment in her collegiate career, as the senior elevated her performance on the regional stage to earn the opportunity to represent Haverford at the national championship meet.
Senior Alice Sappenfield continued her impressive postseason campaign, finishing 16th overall in 22:47.2 to earn All-Region recognition. Sappenfield, who previously earned second-team All-Centennial Conference honors with a 14th-place finish at the conference championships, provided the Fords with a second runner among the region's top 20.
The senior duo established a strong foundation for Haverford's scoring effort, combining for just 21 points in the team standings and putting the Scarlet and Black in position for a strong regional finish.
Senior Grace Chen was the next Ford across the line, delivering a 23rd-place finish in 23:18.1 to secure All-Region honors. Chen provided another important performance for Haverford, giving the Fords three runners among the top 25.
Junior Maia Poremba followed with a 30th-place finish in 23:26.8, giving the Fords their fourth All-Region selection of the afternoon.
First-year Rylee Diller completed Haverford's scoring five, crossing the line in 23:31.8 to finish 33rd overall. The rookie's performance secured her first career All-Region honor and gave the Fords five runners among the top 35, a testament to the team's depth throughout the championship race.
The grouping of Chen, Poremba and Diller proved particularly important, as Haverford's third through fifth finishers crossed the line within just 13.7 seconds of one another. Their collective effort helped the Fords finish with 99 points, securing fourth place in the team standings.
Senior Poppy Chrisman added a 46th-place finish in 23:58.8, while first-year Charlotte Yanke rounded out Haverford's seven competitors in 52nd place with a time of 24:09.3. Both contributed to a balanced showing that placed all seven Fords among the top 52 runners in the regional field.
The fourth-place finish capped a strong postseason showing for Haverford. The Fords also placed fourth at the Centennial Conference Championships on Oct. 31, where Sappenfield led the Scarlet and Black with her All-Centennial performance.
With a program-best five All-Region selections since joining the Metro Region, a fourth-place team finish and an individual national qualifier, Haverford enjoyed a significant day on the regional stage. The result also highlighted the contributions of a veteran senior class alongside emerging talent, with Diller joining four upperclassmen among the team's All-Region honorees.
Swarthmore captured the Metro Region team championship with 43 points, followed by TCNJ in second with 83 and Rowan in third with 91. Individually, Swarthmore's Charlotte Martin claimed the regional title in 21:49.8, edging runner-up Ellie Kozich of DeSales, who finished in 21:50.8. Swarthmore's Elizabeth Page rounded out the top three, crossing the line in 22:00.6.
For Jaycobs, the season will continue on the national stage. The senior will represent Haverford at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 21, in Northfield, Minn., at the Bill Huyck Championship Cross Country Course. The women's six-kilometer championship race is scheduled for noon CT (1 p.m. ET). Live video will be available through NCAA.com, with results provided by Leone Timing. Ticket information and additional event details are available through the NCAA Championships ticketing page and Carleton College's Championship Central.
