Soderholm, of Reston, Virginia, chased down Canada’s Nicolas Fontaine and stuck with him over the second half of the course and with about 300 meters to go and shot for the lead, crossing in 33 minutes, 50 second to claim the school’s first-ever individual world title.

Ten nations sent athletes to the World Championships with over 160 athletes taking part. The United States had over 40 athletes competing in this year’s World Championships. The remaining Paul Smith’s College students competed in the senior — age 20 and older — 8.5K event and were in the 20-29 age category.

Zack Sprott-Scribner led the Paul Smith’s men’s team in the 8.5K, placing 61st overall and seventh in the 20-29 category with a time of 1:06:45. Logan Krahn (1:09:03) placed 77th overall and 11th in the 20-29, Carson Wohlers (1:12:01) was 90th and Wesley Burkit (1:12:08) finsihed in 13th place in the 20-29 category. Dan Edelstein of Saranac Lake earned fifth in the age 60-69 category with a time of 1:10:16.

On the women’s side, Olivia Bobbie was the first Paul Smith’s athlete to finish, placing fifth in the 20-29 division in 1:41:38. Haven Bradt (1:42:09) placed sixth and Joanna Kerchner (1:42:21) finished in seventh.

Argentina’s Veronica Galvan won the women’s 8.5K in 57:33, followed by Michelle Hummel of the U.S. in 58:44 and Spain’s Georgina Gabro Morente in 58:53.

Jonthan Roque Colombo of Argentina won the men’s 8.5 Km in 56:47, followed by Italy’s Michele Dall’ara in 57:30. Rubn Leon San Emeterio of Spain placed third in 57:59.