CALDWELL, Idaho – When
Ellyse Tingelstad crossed the finish line at the Running Y Ranch in Klamath Falls, Ore., she didn't think about where she finished or even catching her breath. She turned around and looked for other runners in purple and gold.
"Immediately after finishing the race, I was much more focused with where my teammates were amongst the field than I was concerned about my individual placement," Tingelstad said.
At the women's cross country CCC Championships, Tingelstad watched as four fellow Yotes and All-CCC selections finished the 5,000-meter race in a 50-second span. With five runners finishing in the top-12, the College of Idaho left the competition in the dust and secured the 2021 conference title – giving the Yotes their third-consecutive CCC crown.
"I think it's a testament to what we've cultivated here as a program," head coach
Austin Basterrechea said. "Three in a row is a big deal and sets us up to continue that streak for the next few years."
Against 4,000-feet of elevation and 72 other runners, Tingelstad finished first with a time of 19:06.30 – joining Stephanie Helm (2007, 2008) and Hillary Holt (2012, 2013) as the only Yotes to hold CCC individual titles.
Tingelstad's performance caught the attention of the conference and entire NAIA, but her achievement wasn't the only win in her record book. A Joseph, Ore. native, the sophomore won back-to-back 1A state titles in the 1,500-meter (4:57) and 3,000-meter (10:49) races. When Tingelstad committed to C of I in 2020, it would mean improving her raw talent with the guidance of highly-acclaimed coaches.
"Austin and [assistant coach
Mike Anderson] have helped me improve immensely since joining their program last year," Tingelstad said. "Not only have I benefited from their wealth of knowledge in terms of training philosophies and the structure of their training, I have also benefited from their willingness to work with me beyond just being an athlete."
In her freshman season, Tingelstad earned four top-5 finishes and placed third in the CCC Championships. An NAIA All-American, Tingelstad laid the foundation as one of the Yotes top runners going into her sophomore year.
In year two, Tingelstad introduced herself to the conference with her first career individual victory at the William Jessup Invitational. Clocking in a 5K time of 17:31.6, the sophomore edged out Menlo College's Naomi Lagat by one second to help the Yotes secure C of I's second team win of the season.
"From my freshman year to now, I think that my biggest area of growth pertains to my confidence," Tingelstad said. "When I go in to a race, I feel that I spend much less time trying to figure out my place, and instead, where I should be. This season in particular I have tried to focus on factors that I can control, rather than those beyond my reach, allowing me to put more time and effort into the things that matter most."
Two weeks after the win in Rocklin, Calif., C of I traveled to Klamath Falls for the CCC Championships. With expectations high on the Yotes, Tingelstad would not let the pressure get the best of her.
"I think the last meet showed Elly's confidence in her racing ability," Basterrechea said. "One athlete took the race out very fast and had a 20-second gap on the field. Elly remained patient and passed the athlete in the second half of the race. Her confidence in her abilities and in her teammates helped contribute to her race performance."
Basterrechea and 2-time All-CCC selection Ellyse Tinglestad headline the No. 6-ranked Yotes as they prepare for the NAIA Championships. Coming off national runner-up finishes in the last two seasons, Tingelstad and the Yotes feel confident about their chances of beating out the nation's top runners at the biggest stage of the season.
"Going in to nationals, one of the biggest things that will help us keep the momentum going is being confident in ourselves collectively and being confident in the fact that we are very capable of achieving the goals that we have set for ourselves," Tingelstad said. "Together, we have put in the work to get us where we're at, and now is the time to trust our fitness and capabilities and get after it."
The Yotes travel to Vancouver, Wash. for the NAIA Championships next Friday (Nov. 19). Race time is set for 11 a.m. (PT).
