ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Concordia senior Natalie Hanson (Rogers, Minn./Elk River HS) was named the MIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week on September 20 for her performance at the Montana State Invitational in Bozeman, Mont. on Saturday.

It is the first time in her career that she has earned conference athlete of the week honors.

Hanson put her quest for a trip to the NCAA Division III National Cross Country Meet in full gear at the meet as she ran a 17:49.00 over the 3-mile course at Montana State and captured third place.

Hanson's feat is even more amazing considering the fact that she was the only non NCAA Division I or II athlete to finish in the top 20 of the meet. Hanson beat out runners from Division I Utah State, the University of Utah, Idaho State and host Montana State.