KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Following her individual title at the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic, Bellevue University sophomore Grace Steinmetz (Council Bluffs, Iowa) has been named the NAIA Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week for the second time this season.

Steinmetz won the women's 6-kilometer race Saturday at Mahoney State Park near Ashland, Neb., in 21:28.3. She placed first among 335 runners representing 40 teams, building a 27-second advantage by the 3-kilometer mark, which she reached in 10:20.

Steinmetz maintained that pace over the remainder of the race to defend her Blazing Tiger individual title. Her winning time was 40.2 seconds off her course-record performance of 20:48.1 at the same meet last season.

The victory extended Steinmetz's winning streak to three races, and she remains unbeaten against NAIA competition this season. She also was named the Frontier Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week for her performance, her fourth conference weekly honor this season.

Up Next: The Bruins now prepare for the Frontier Conference Championship, to be held Nov. 6 at Amend Park in Billings, Mont. The championship team and the top four individuals will advance to the NAIA National Championship race on Nov. 20 in Fort Vancouver, Wash.