OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Alauna Carstens (Jr.) from The Evergreen State College has been named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Women's NAIA National Athlete of the Week for the week ending Sept. 21. Carstens earned the award by taking first place out of 135 competitors in the women's 6-kilometer race at the PLU Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Carstens won the women's race in a time of 21:19.9. She earned a margin of victory of 30.6 seconds. Emily Foote of George Fox University was second in 21:50.5 and Fiona Fraser, competing unattached, placed third in 21:59.1. The Geoducks took seventh place in the team standings.

"I'm excited to start this season off strong and I'm looking forward to what's ahead," Carstens commented.

It was the second USTFCCCA weekly award Carstens has received in cross country. She also was named Women's NAIA National Athlete of the Week once in cross country during the 2023 season.

"I'm very proud of Alauna and her second national athlete of the week selection, as it is very well-deserved," Evergreen Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson said. "Alauna executed her race plan at PLU perfectly, running with the leaders for just over the first 2k lap before making a move at the top of the hill and running away with a 30-second victory. What an epic day to be a Geoduck!" 

"Alauna continues to make an impact at Evergreen," said Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Katie Burnett. "Entering our third year with teams that are bigger and faster than ever, we are so thrilled to continue seeing the growth and development in our programs with Alauna leading the charge. She has a love for running that is contagious. Alauna put in the work to be ready for fall, and it showed on Saturday! We are so proud of her."

Evergreen's cross country teams will compete again on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the 50th Annual Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational. The meet will be held at Bush's Pasture Park in Salem, Oregon.