News Summary
The NC State men’s and women’s cross country teams excelled at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships, with the women’s team clinching their eighth consecutive title and securing an automatic bid to the national championship. Grace Hartman led the women’s team with a victory in the 6K race, while the men’s team finished seventh overall, showcasing several strong individual performances. All-Region honors were awarded to five NC State athletes, marking a notable achievement in the season.
Rock Hill, S.C. – The NC State men’s and women’s cross country teams showcased exceptional talent at the 2024 NCAA Southeast Regional Championships on November 15, 2024, held at Winthrop Farm Course. The women’s team triumphed, securing their eighth consecutive title with a score of 60 points, while the men’s team finished seventh in their respective race with 218 points.
The victory for the women’s team not only solidified their dominance in the region but also earned them an automatic bid to the upcoming 2024 NCAA National Cross Country Championship, scheduled for November 23 in Madison, Wisconsin. Grace Hartman led the charge for the women’s team by winning the 6K race with a time of 20:04.2, narrowly edging out Clemson’s Silvia Jelego, who clocked in at 20:04.4 in a thrilling photo finish.
Hannah Gapes also made a significant impact by finishing third in the women’s race, posting a time of 20:08.3. The depth of talent in the women’s team was further evident as all seven runners finished within the top 50, marking a dominant performance. Notable finishes included:
- Brooke Rauber – 9th place (20:42.2)
- Bethany Michalak – 19th place (21:03.7)
- Ellie Shea – 28th place (21:21.5)
- Angelina Napoleon – 42nd place (21:40.3)
- Kate Putman – 49th place (21:48.2)
The men’s team, while not as successful, showcased impressive performances with Brett Gardner leading the charge by finishing in 13th place overall with a time of 30:06.6. Other notable finishes for the men’s team included:
- Toby Gualter – 36th place (31:00.4)
- Ryan Motondo – 3rd for NC State (31:17.5)
- Noah Valyo – 55th place (31:28.5)
- Wesley Larson – 67th place (31:39.9)
- Matt Bogdan – 86th place (32:12.8)
- JJ Malach – 96th place (32:21.6)
In total, five NC State runners were honored with All-Region accolades, recognizing their outstanding performances throughout the season. The celebrated athletes include Brett Gardner, Grace Hartman, Hannah Gapes, Brooke Rauber, and Bethany Michalak.
Looking ahead, the NCAA Cross Country Selection Committee will announce 13 at-large selections on November 16 at 5 p.m. ET, which could further influence the participation of additional runners from the NC State teams in the upcoming national championships. The anticipation for the national stage adds an extra layer of excitement for the athletes and the program as they prepare for a critical upcoming race.
The success of the NC State women’s cross country team at the Southeastern Regionals continues to affirm their status as a formidable force in collegiate athletics, while the men’s team is poised for continued improvement and future growth as they strive for excellence in the next season.
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Additional Resources
- NC State Rivals: Seth Tillman
- Wikipedia: Cross Country Running
- GoPack: NC State Cross Country
- Google Search: NC State Cross Country
- Charlotte Observer: Local News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cross Country Running
- GoPack: Women’s Cross Country Title
- Google News: NC State Cross Country Championships
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
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