Cross Country and Track & Field
A two-time All-American in the 10,000-meter run and nine-time MIAC champion overall, Laura Bloedorn left her mark as one of the top distance runners in Carleton history. She qualified for the NCAA Championships a total of six times in cross country and track and field.
Her first trip to the national outdoor meet came in 2001 as a sophomore and resulted in an All-America performance—eighth place—in the 10,000-meter run and All-America honorable mention in the 5,000-meter run. She turned in a total of 17 All-MIAC performances and five of her nine career MIAC titles on the track came during the 2003 indoor and outdoor seasons.
That final year of competition for the Knights was one for the ages, including three trips to nationals. At the MIAC Cross Country Championships that fall, Bloedorn placed second overall and became only the second Carleton female runner to earn all-conference honors all four years of her career. She made her second straight trip to the NCAA Championships, leading the Knights to their first team qualification since 1995.
Bloedorn was first to the line in the 3,000- and 5,000- meter runs at the MIAC Indoor Championships and anchored the Knights’ victorious distance medley. She made her first trip to the NCAA Indoor Championships that winter and picked up All-America Honorable Mention with ninth-place finish in the 5K.
At the conference outdoor meet that spring, Bloedorn won her second straight 5,000-meter title and completed a three-peat in the 10,000-meter run. She returned to nationals and picked up All-America distinction with a seventh-place result in the 10K. She added All-America honorable mention at the 5,000-meter distance.
Bloedorn received the Pat Lamb award, which recognizes Carleton female athletes for their combined academic and athletic achievements.