Jenny Stricker, standout distance runner for the Harvard women's cross country squad, proved her mettle against the top tracksters in the nation with an extraordinary effort Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Competing in the NCAA Cross Country Championships, Stricker raced 5000 meters in 16:33--earning herself a sixth place finish in the event. The race winner, Suzie Tuffey of North Carolina State, clocked in at 16:22.

Stricker, the Crimson's only representative, had qualified for the NCAAs by winning the Eastern Championships November 16 at Lehigh.

Around 200 runners participated in the national championships, with Wisconsin capturing the overall team championship.