Buntrock was the first JMU female cross country runner to earn All-America honors, as she earned the recognition after finishing 24th at the 1981 Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Championships. Buntrock also was named to the All-AIAW Region II team following a ninth-place finish at the 1981 AIAW Region II meet. She also earned All-Virginia AIAW honors after a sixth-place finish at the 1981 state meet, her second time on the squad after earning honors in 1979 with an 11th-place finish. In track and field, she qualified for the AIAW National Championships in the 1,500-meter run as well as part of two national qualifying relays in the 3,200-meter relay.