South Raleigh News

The NC State men's and women's cross country teams participated in the 2024 NCAA Southeast Regional Championships at Winthrop Farm Course, Rock Hill, S.C., on Friday. The women's team secured their eighth consecutive regional title with 60 points, earning an automatic spot in the 2024 NCAA National Cross Country Championship. The men's team finished seventh with 218 points.

In the women's 6K race, Grace Hartman and Hannah Gapes were frontrunners for NC State. Hartman faced a strong challenge from Clemson's Silvia Jelego but emerged victorious with a time of 20:04.2 against Jelego's 20:04.4 in a close finish. Gapes took third place with a time of 20:08.3.

All seven women from NC State placed within the top 50, demonstrating their strength as a team. Brooke Rauber finished ninth with a time of 20:42.2, followed by Bethany Michalak in 19th (21:03.7), Ellie Shea in 28th (21:21.5), Angelina Napoleon in 42nd (21:40.3), and Kate Putman in 49th (21:48.2).

For the men's team, Brett Gardner led with a 13th-place finish in the 10K race, clocking at 30:06.6. Toby Gualter was next for NC State in 36th place (31:00.4), followed by Ryan Motondo who completed his run at 31:17.5.

Other finishes for the men included Noah Valyo in 55th place (31:28.5), Wesley Larson in 67th (31:39.9), Matt Bogdan in 86th (32:12.8), and JJ Malach in 96th (32:21.6).

Five runners from NC State received All-Region honors for placing among the top-25—Brett Gardner, Grace Hartman, Hannah Gapes, Brooke Rauber, and Bethany Michalak.

The women's team's victory ensures their participation at the NCAA Championships scheduled to take place on November 23rd in Madison, Wisconsin.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, November 16th, the NCAA Cross Country Selection Committee will reveal thirteen at-large selections during a selection show at 5 p.m ET as the men's team awaits possible inclusion.