CALDWELL, Idaho — A former cross-country star of the Wallowa Valley cross-country team has seen her running career blossom since entering the collegiate ranks.

Senior Ellyse Tingelstad led the College of Idaho Yotes women’s cross-country team to the school’s first national title on Friday, Nov. 17, on the NAIA course in Vancouver, Washington. The former Eagle led the Yotes, placing second in the 6,000 meters with a time of 21 minutes, 16.1 seconds. The race marked the fourth time Tingelstad picked up an All-American honor.

The College of Idaho team finished with 68 points, beating out The Master’s University (California) finishing with 92 points. The Yotes dominated with five of the team’s seven runners finishing in the top 10.

The race was not the lone highlight of the month for the Joseph runner. On Nov. 8, Tingelstad was named the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association NAIA West Region Runner of the Year. This marks the first time a female has received the award since its inception and only the second College of Idaho runner to receive the honor. Marcos Cervantes picked up the award for the Yotes in 2016.

Tingelstad’s awards are not confined to the cross-country courses. In 2022, she was named All-Academic CCC for her work in the classroom and in the same year, the Joseph graduate also was named to the NAIA Women’s Cross Country Scholar Athlete Team.

Local runners may recall Tingelstad’s exploits in both track and field and cross country. Running for Wallowa Valley, Tingelstad picked up top-11 finishes all four years of high school at the state cross-country meet. She also dominated on the track, winning back-to-back 1A state titles in the 1,500 and 3,000 meter races.

Tingelstad’s success in the cross country realm comes on the heels of the 2023 track and field season that saw her take two first-place finishes in the 10,000 meters and a second-place showing at the NAIA Track & Field Championships on May 26. She also added a first place and three third-place showings during the season in the 5,000 meter races and a fourth-place in the lone 1,500-meter race in which she participated.