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HANOVER, Ind. (csssaints.com) – Senior Chelsea Johnson (North Branch, Minn./Chisago Lakes HS) became The College of St. Scholastica's first NCAA Division III National Champion, pulling away late to win the 2013 NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship on Saturday.

According to Head Coach Steve Pfingsten, the plan was to start out fast much like she has done during her five-race winning streak.

"The course was wet and soft because it had rained here the last couple of days," said Pfingsten. "It didn't affect Chelsea too much because of her strength and athleticism."

Johnson would be in a group of about a dozen runners early, which dwindled to four midway through the race. Johnson, who hasn't been really challenged the last two months, was in battle with Noelle Olson of St. Olaf College, Hannah Oneda of Johns Hopkins and Michaela Freeby of Willamette University (Ore.).

"It felt weird to run with other women, but I knew I had to hold my spot and then take off at the end," said Johnson.

At the five kilometer mark, Johnson started to distance herself from the group of four by a few meters.

"I decided when walking the course and talking with coach, that the 5k mark was going to be the time I was going to go," described Johnson.

In the final kilometer, Johnson put on a bit of surge and cruised to an 11 second victory over Olson of St. Olaf to win the program's first national title. Johnson's winning time was 21:11.7.

"I was exhausted, happy and excited," said Johnson. "I just put my arms in the air when I crossed the finish line."

For Johnson, she finishes her collegiate cross country career winning her final six races and won a total of eight this season.

"Never thought I would be here," reflected Johnson. "Freshman year was rough, but my times got better my sophomore year and I just wanted to train more and see where it goes."

Johnson, who became the program's second NCAA All-American in 2012 after finishing 15th at Nationals, was driven to do even more this season and put in the time in the offseason to do.

Desiree Budd had come closest to winning a national title for the women's cross country team when she finished runner-up at the 2001 NAIA National Meet.

"I am not only excited for Chelsea, but this is exciting for our program," said Pfingsten. "It shows that we can train successful runners that can compete for national championships."

Johns Hopkins won the team title with 85 points. Williams University was second with 137 points and Middlebury was third with 185 points.

For future news on the St. Scholastica women's cross country program, keep checking csssaints.com.