NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Jennifer Adams wasn't going to let the conditions stand in her way this time. After being victimized by the sloppy, muddy conditions at last year's NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships in West Chester, Ohio, the senior from Saratoga Springs, N..Y., overcame the cold weather and a brief mental lapse to earn All-America honors with her ninth place finish at Saturday's championship held at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

"I kept on thinking back to last year and not being able to cope with the conditions," said Adams, who covered the 6K course in a time of 21:36. "I knew I had to be tougher this time."

Adams went out with the leaders and held her ground before almost tripping and falling back in the pack. "I was fighting it a bit and had hard time staying focused," she said. "A few people past me, but was able to get it together and kick past someone to finish strong."

"Jenn was a fighter today," said KSC Coach Peter Thomas. "She got her head together and came on strong at the end."

"I was happy with my race," said Adams, who also earned All-America honors as a sophomore. "My goal was to place in the top-10 and I accomplished that. It's a nice way to complete my college career."

"The women's field was very competitive,"said Thomas. If you ran the race five different times, you might have five different winners."

Adams, who has won a combined six All-America honors, is the seven Owl women to earn All-America recognition.

Sarah Zerzan of Willamette defended her individual championship with a winning time of 20:54. Amherst College won its second straight championship with 120 points.