The ISU women’s cross-country team surprised more than just its fans this season; it surprised itself.

The Cyclones competed Nov. 23 at the National Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship meet in Terre Haute, Ind., and finished 13th as a team, something many didn’t think they would be able to do.

“From the outside looking in, it looks like we have accomplished all of these great things,” said ISU coach Andrea Grove-McDonough. “But we’ve really had some challenges this year, and what we’ve done is really remarkable. If you had asked any of us at the beginning of the year if we thought we would be where we are now, we wouldn’t be giving an honest answer if we said, ‘yes.’”

Sophomore Crystal Nelson led the team once again at the championships. She hung around with the front pack for the first portion of the race, but hit a patch of mud and fell early on.

Nelson ended up finishing 32nd overall, earning All-American honors.

“A girl right behind me clipped my heel, and I just fell face first into the mud,” Nelson said. “By the time I got up, the pack was gone. But I could hear people cheering me on, and I just had to stay mentally tough and in the race. I couldn’t have done that without my coaches and teammates.”

Nelson, who won the Midwest Regional the week before, had higher expectations for herself going into the national meet.

“At first I was upset with my place,” Nelson said. “I was expecting around a top-15 finish. But looking back on it now, and having had time to think about it, I’m ecstatic. I can’t be disappointed being an All-American. I’m happy with how it ended up.”

Nelson wasn’t the only Cyclone to earn All-American status. Freshman Bethanie Brown finished 37th at Nationals, coming in just 1 second behind Nelson.

Brown proved to be a valuable asset to the team all season long. She was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, along with her All-American honors.

“We didn’t know Bethanie coming into this year,” said team captain Samantha Bluske. “She is one of the toughest girls I’ve ever met in my life. She has heart and determination that I have never seen before.”

The ISU men’s team sent one individual to the national meet as well. Mohamed Hrezi finished 24th, making him an All-American.

Hrezi became the 23rd Cyclone to become an All-American, and the first since 2008 for the men’s squad.

“I am extremely happy for [Mohamed], earning the title of All-American,” said ISU coach Martin Smith in a news release following the meet. “That is an extremely difficult feat to accomplish, especially when it’s your first time at the national meet.”

Looking forward to next season, the women’s team loses only one member in Bluske. The amount of experience coming back is what runners say will make the biggest difference.

“I am so excited. I’m already thinking about it,” Nelson said. “We’re returning just about everyone, and I think we can do big things. I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”