Lansing, Mich. - Top-ranked Lansing Community College Women’s Cross Country team defended their national title and repeated as champions by one point.

The women’s team won the NJCAA DII National Championship beating out No. 2 Mesa Community College with a score of 57-58.

Jana Stiffler was LCC’s top runner and was sixth overall in 19:35.1. Barbara DeGood, Haley Ellis and Katelyn Slone were all in the top 15 finishers for the Stars.

“Winning one championship is difficult, but to repeat is very special,” said Cross Country Coach James Robinson.

The Men’s Cross Country team finished third with 94 points. It was their best finish since winning the Division I meet in 2007.

"It is a great accomplishment for both teams,” said Robinson. “They did the hard work to put themselves in position to contend for a championship, and then on the morning of the championship, they ran extremely well when it counted. What great memories these young men and women have created for themselves -- I could not be prouder of them."

Both teams won the MCCAA and NJCAA Region 12 Championships on Oct. 29.

About Lansing Community College

Lansing Community College, founded in 1957, is one of the largest community colleges in Michigan, serving more than 14,500 students across a six-county area each year. LCC offers courses in general education for those interested in transferring to a four-year institution, career and workforce development, developmental education and personal enrichment. To meet the professional development and training needs of regional employees, the college offers customized programs for credit, non-credit and continuing education. The Transfer Center at LCC offers students the opportunity to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from five partner universities on the downtown LCC campus. For more information, visit lcc.edu.

Lansing Community College provides equal opportunity for all persons and prohibits discriminatory practices based on race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, creed, ancestry, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, familial status, marital status, military status, veteran’s status, or other status as protected by law, or genetic information that is unrelated to the person’s ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position or participate in educational programs, courses, services or activities offered by the College.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Equal Opportunity Officer, Washington Court Place, 309 N. Washington Square Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1730; Employee Coordinator 504/ADA, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1875; Student Coordinator 504/ADA, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1885; Human Resource Manager/Employee Title IX Coordinator, Administration Building, 610 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-1879; Student Title IX Coordinator, Gannon Building, 411 N. Grand Ave. Lansing, MI 48933, 517-483-9632.