Munising alumna Hattie Cota was named the 2023 Bay College Women’s Cross Country team’s Most Valuable Player. The award was handed out at the team’s postseason banquet on Sunday, Dec. 3.

“I’m definitely proud. It’s nice to get an award for sure,” Cota said.

Cota finished as the top female runner for Bay College in every race this year, including a 32nd overall place at the NJCAA Region 12 championships in October.

After winning multiple U.P. Championships with the Mustangs, Cota led what was primarily an all-Upper Peninsula cross country team. As a freshman, she was the only runner on the women’s team to medal throughout her first collegiate campaign.

Cota is still undecided about returning to the Bay cross country team next year, citing the need for a strong recruitment class as a factor.