SPOKANE (Nov. 23) -- Central Washington University junior CONNIE MORGAN (Hoquiam) wrapped up her incredible 2013 cross country season on Saturday, becoming the first Wildcat harrier in seven years to earn All-American honors with a 33rd-place finish at the 2013 NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championships at Plantes Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane.

Morgan's time of 21 minutes, 44.5 seconds was her second-fastest on a six-kilometer course and was a 35-second improvement over her finish two weeks ago on the same course at the NCAA West Region championships. She had finished sixth in the regional and finished fifth among West Region competitors at Saturday's nationals. She was one of nine Great Northwest Athletic Conference runners overall -- female or male -- to earn an All-American finish.

Morgan's ascent through the pack on Saturday was especially noticeable over the final half of the race. At the 3,000-meter mark -- the halfway point -- she was in 43rd place but was able to make strides to climb 10 places, and subsequently earn All-American distinction. The top 40 finishers earn All-American accolades.

Morgan is the first CWU runner to compete at nationals since 2006, when Katie Hummel placed 12th in the championship meet in Pensacola, Fla. Morgan and Hummel are the only two Wildcat individuals to represent the university at nationals in women's cross country since joining the NCAA Division II ranks in 1998.