STILLWATER, Okla.—UMass Lowell cross country senior Kenzie Doyle (Swansea, Mass.) closed out her incredible season on the course at the 2022 NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship hosted by Oklahoma State on Saturday morning in Stillwater, Okla.

"Kenzie ran well overall. She was in All-American range for the majority of the race," remarked Head Coach Gary Gardner following Doyle's NCAA debut. "For her first experience at the NCAA Championship, she ran well. We're looking forward to seeing her compete during the track season."
 
The lone River Hawk qualifier, Doyle finished 85th overall amongst the nation's best 254 long-distance runners. In her first 6K on the national stage, Doyle averaged a 3.49.7 split and sat as high as 25th overall in the pack to clock in with a final time of 20:31.0.
 
"I really wanted to get All-America today. I went out hard and put myself in a position to do it early on, but I wasn't able to hold on. I'm still so happy with the season I had," commented Doyle. "This was my first NCAA Championship, and I now have experience under me that a lot of people in future races won't have." 
 
Doyle served as a leader for the River Hawks this season, dialing in on her training and mental preparation to accomplish her goal of reaching this year's national championship. The Massachusetts-born runner was crowned an individual champion at both the IC4A/ECAC Cross Country Championships and the 2022 America East Cross Country Championship. Doyle's record-setting run at the conference championship marked a personal-best 5K time for the senior and helped the River Hawks claim their third consecutive cross country title sweep.
 
After claiming both individual titles, Doyle turned in a stunning performance at the 2022 NCAA Northeast Regional hosted by Columbia. The senior glided across the line in fourth with a final mark of 20:29.4 to become an automatic qualifier for this year's championship.

"I know that I am capable of more than the way I performed in this race, but I am proud of myself for going for it and staying tough," concluded Doyle. 
 
The River Hawks earn a break from competition as they ready for the 2022-23 indoor track & field campaign, which kicks off on Dec. 3, at the Alden Invitational.