On Saturday, November 23, the top collegiate cross-country athletes lined up to compete on the challenging grass terrain of the 2024 NCAA Cross-Country Championships, held in Verona, Wisconsin. The chilly temperatures hovered in the high 30s, while the sky remained overcast with very minimal wind, setting a dramatic backdrop for the highly anticipated races.
Here’s a detailed look at how the action unfolded in the women’s 6K and men’s 10K at the fiercely contested Division I Championships.
Women’s recap: Doris Lemngole leaves no doubt; BYU women prevail
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Unlike last year, when Parker Valby of Florida surged ahead, this year’s women’s individual race remained tightly contested until the last moments. Approaching the 4K mark (2.5 miles), the leading pack was still impressively sizeable. However, Doris Lemngole of Alabama—who secured the runner-up position in the previous year’s championship—began to increase the pace, relentlessly narrowing the group down to just six dedicated competitors.
After reaching the challenging 5K point, the competitive field had dwindled to three: Lemngole, Pamela Kosgei from New Mexico, and Hilda Olemomoi of Florida. With approximately 400 meters to go, Lemngole executed a decisive move down the long finish straight, showcasing both strength and strategy. She crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 19:21.0. Kosgei managed to pass Olemomoi in the final critical seconds, earning second place with a time of 19:27.8, while Olemomoi finished closely behind in third at 19:28.7.
The team competition added an extra layer of drama to the event. Northern Arizona held an early lead, establishing a substantial 22-point advantage over the field at the 2K mark, maintaining their strong position through the 4K mark. However, the BYU Cougars, ranked No. 1 in the nation, expertly maneuvered through the last 2K, ultimately placing five runners within the top 50, clinching the coveted team title with a score of 147 points. West Virginia put in a commendable effort to secure second place with 164 points, while Providence, ranked No. 11 nationally, delivered a remarkable performance to take third with 183 points. Northern Arizona rounded off the podium in fourth place with 206 points, while expectations for Oregon were dashed as they struggled with their fourth and fifth runners, finishing in fifth with 210 points.
Despite battling an injury throughout the season, senior Lexy Halladay-Lowry emerged as the top finisher for BYU, securing 11th place. After the race, she reflected, “We gave up a lot of our individual goals, and we were just completely and utterly committed to the team,” emphasizing the unity and collective effort of her team during the championship.
Unfortunately for those fans tuning in via the ESPN feed, which had promised uninterrupted coverage of the races, the broadcast experienced frustrating interruptions, with video and audio cutting out during the final minute. The feed ultimately shifted to a commercial break just before the highly anticipated team results were revealed.
Men’s recap: Graham Blanks repeats, while BYU men make it a clean sweep
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In the spotlight of the men’s race was none other than Graham Blanks. The Harvard senior, who proudly represented the U.S. on the Olympic stage in the 5,000 meters this summer, executed a masterful race strategy, earning his second consecutive NCAA Cross-Country Championship title. He stands out as the first individual to achieve back-to-back championships since BYU’s Conner Mantz accomplished this feat in 2020 and 2021.
Blanks strategically positioned himself within the lead pack during the initial half of the race. Following a strong surge from Texas Tech’s Ernest Cheruiyot after the 5K mark, Blanks seized the moment and surged to the front. As the pace intensified, the lead group momentarily regrouped, but at the 8.5K mark, only seven runners remained. Blanks, displaying an unflappable demeanor amidst the tension, launched an attack that quickly distanced him from the pack, ultimately crossing the finish line with a time of 28:37.2 while waving to the enthusiastic crowd.
In an incredible display of determination, Habtom Samuel of New Mexico finished second in a remarkable 28:38.9, competing with only one shoe on. He fended off the challenge from Furman’s Dylan Schubert, who executed the race of his life to secure third place with a time of 28:39.6.
The team competition early on was dominated by BYU. By the 5K point, the Cougars had all five of their scoring runners placed within the top 31. Although Iowa State began to chip away at their lead during the latter half of the race, BYU’s initial cushion proved insurmountable. They achieved a total of 124 points to secure the overall team title, successfully completing a historic sweep alongside their women’s team.
Iowa State finished as the runner-up with a score of 137 points, followed by Arkansas in third place with 202 points. The home-course advantage was not enough for Wisconsin, who took fourth with 212 points. Oklahoma State, who had been ranked No. 1 for a majority of the season, faced an unexpected setback, finishing eighth.
Theo Kahler is the news editor at Runner’s World. He’s a former all-conference collegiate runner who has reported on the ground at major events such as the Paris Olympics, U.S. Olympic Trials, and Boston Marathon. He’s run 14:20 in the 5K and enjoys spotting tracks from the sky on airplanes. (Look for colorful ovals around football fields.)
How has Coach Mike Thompson prepared the athletes for challenges, such as injuries, during the competitive season?
**Interview with Coach Mike Thompson of BYU Cross Country**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Coach Thompson! Thank you for joining us to discuss the recent NCAA Cross-Country Championships. What an exciting event it was!
**Coach Thompson:** Thank you for having me! It was indeed an exhilarating experience for everyone involved, from the athletes to the fans.
**Interviewer:** Let’s start with the women’s race. Doris Lemngole’s performance was phenomenal. How did you feel as the race unfolded?
**Coach Thompson:** From the start, we knew Doris was in great shape. She showed incredible determination. The way she pulled ahead after the 5K mark was inspiring. It was like watching a champion take control of her race.
**Interviewer:** BYU’s women’s team clinched the championship title too! Can you talk about what contributed to their success?
**Coach Thompson:** Absolutely! Our women really came together as a unit. Even though they faced some challenges early on, including injuries, they supported each other throughout the race. Lexy Halladay-Lowry is a great example; she pushed through her injury to finish 11th. The team’s depth and strategy were key to our victory.
**Interviewer:** Switching gears to the men’s race, Graham Blanks made history by winning his second consecutive title. What do you think set him apart this year?
**Coach Thompson:** Graham has this incredible racing intelligence. He positioned himself perfectly in the lead pack early on, and his ability to read the pace and make decisive moves really set him apart. His confidence from competing at the Olympic level undoubtedly played a huge role as well.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a significant achievement for both teams. Was there a moment during the championship that stood out to you personally?
**Coach Thompson:** There are so many moments that made this championship special, but seeing all of our runners finish strong and come together post-race was truly heartwarming. The camaraderie and team spirit on display were unforgettable.
**Interviewer:** Unfortunately, fans tuning in faced broadcast issues. How do you think that affected the followers of the championship?
**Coach Thompson:** That’s always frustrating for fans. The coverage is a chance for family and friends to support the athletes. Despite that, I hope those who were there in person or followed along online could still feel the energy of the event!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Thompson! Any final thoughts as you reflect on the championships?
**Coach Thompson:** Just gratitude for our athletes and support staff. Their hard work and dedication made this possible. We’re looking forward to building on this momentum in the next season!
**Interviewer:** Appreciate your time, Coach. Congratulations again on a fantastic championship!
**Coach Thompson:** Thank you! We’re excited for what’s next!
