The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School sophomore crossed the finish line in 16:55.5 on Saturday, December 13, at Balboa Park in San Diego, California, claiming the girls’ championship individual crown at the 2025 Brooks XC National Championships.
Natasza Dudek, running for the Midwest region, took command in the final stretch of the race after spending most of the competition in a tight battle with fellow regional superstars, Blair Bartlett and Jaelyn Williams.
Read More: Watch Brooks XC Championships 2025 Free Live Stream
The Lawrenceville School junior Bartlett, representing the Northeast, grabbed second place with a time of 16:57.1. Williams, a senior from Eastlake High School competing for the West region, finished third in 17:17.2.
Northeast claimed the overall team championship with 36 points. Midwest placed second with 37 points, followed by West with 72 points and South with 76 points.
Early Pace Sets Up Championship Showdown
Dudek and Bartlett broke away from the field early, hitting the opening mile in 5:16.2, respectively, while Emma Hoffman of the Midwest region passed through in 5:16.9, and Williams clocked 5:17.1.
Williams closed the gap at the midpoint and joined the leaders. The three athletes then built a significant advantage over the rest of the field as they moved through the middle portion of the race.
At the 2.5-mile mark, Williams surged ahead of the pack. Dudek and Bartlett responded quickly and pushed past the senior to reclaim the lead.
Dudek Pulls Away for Victory
The sophomore from Michigan took control of the race in the closing stages. Bartlett made several attempts to challenge, but Dudek maintained her position. The Midwest runner sprinted away in the final meters to secure the individual title and help her team finish as runner-up.
Sophia Szolosi finished fourth for the Midwest in 17:19.2. Abigail Hennessy rounded out the top five in 17:21.8, adding crucial points for the Northeast’s team victory.
Results
| Place | Name | Team | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natasza Dudek | Midwest | 16:55.5 | 1 |
| 2 | Blair Bartlett | Northeast | 16:57.1 | 2 |
| 3 | Jaelyn Williams | West | 17:17.2 | 3 |
| 4 | Sophia Szolosi | Midwest | 17:19.2 | 4 |
| 5 | Abigail Hennessy | Northeast | 17:21.8 | 5 |
| 6 | Maddie Gullickson | Midwest | 17:24.7 | 6 |
| 7 | Leah Starkey | Northeast | 17:25.0 | 7 |
| 8 | Lily Alder | West | 17:31.7 | 8 |
| 9 | Averi Lowen | South | 17:35.4 | 9 |
| 10 | Virginia Kraus | Northeast | 17:36.5 | 10 |
| 11 | Emma Hoffman | Midwest | 17:38.1 | 11 |
| 12 | Elena Aldrink | Midwest | 17:44.3 | 12 |
| 13 | Paige Sheppard | Northeast | 17:45.0 | 13 |
| 14 | Jazzlyn Garmer | South | 17:46.0 | 14 |
| 15 | Madeline Dorsch | South | 17:53.5 | 15 |
| 16 | Libby Dowty | Midwest | 17:56.8 | 16 |
| 17 | Gianna Rahmer | West | 18:00.7 | 17 |
| 18 | Braelyn Combe | West | 18:00.9 | 18 |
| 19 | Madison Muller | South | 18:01.2 | 19 |
| 20 | Amelia Avila | Northeast | 18:01.6 | 20 |
