Green Wave Women Win First AAC Championship, Men Finish Third Overall

Saturday, October 28

Greenville, NC

Tulane University

AAC Championship

Green Wave Women Win First AAC Championship, Men Finish Third Overall

Oct 28, 2023 | Cross Country

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Tulane women's cross country team claimed its first American Athletic Conference Cross Country Championship title on Saturday. The Green Wave men's team posted its best finish since 2016 as it landed third overall in the league.

"These things happen when you trust and believe in what you're doing," director of cross country/track and field Adrian Myers said. "What we've done here in three seasons is remarkable. My first year our challenge was to not finish last in the league. This year our challenge was to make someone have to take the championship from us. Today, you were going to have to swim in deep waters to catch us. The women ran tremendously, like warriors on the course. Couldn't be more proud of what happened today against some of the very best competition in the country."

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐀𝐀𝐂 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬❕🏆🥇#RollWave🌊 | #RunWave👟 | #SetTheStandard📈 | #NOLAsTeam⚜️ pic.twitter.com/0XmIlqOkVO
— Tulane XC & TF (@GreenWaveXCTF) October 28, 2023

Seven total runners for the Wave earned All-AAC honors for their performance in the meet. On the women's side Gemma Rebollo, Lily Bell, Danna Diaz, and Paula Vaquera each finished in the top 10 to pick up the hardware. Bradley Makuvire, Illia Kunin, and Jack Jennings all finished in the top six to land the all-conference honors.

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Coach Myers and Assistant Coach David Silversmith were named the AAC Women's Cross County Staff of the Year after the Tulane women's team finished first in the league.

The Wave women's team secured its first AAC cross country title with a total team score of 42 to best the second-place team, Charlotte, by 16 points.

"Our top four placing all inside the top 10 is incredible," Myers stated. "Gemma (Rebollo) leading the way with a gutsy gun to tape victory. Danna (Diaz), Lily (Bell), and Paula (Vaquera) did exactly what was asked of them. Sophia (McNerney) closed the door down the final 2K with a break out performance."

Rebollo led the way for Tulane finishing first overall to earn the individual title by running a 20:39.2 in the 6K race. Following quickly behind were Bell in fourth with a time of 20:53.7 and Diaz in fifth running a 20:58.0. Vaquera was the fourth runner to cross the finish line for the Green Wave running a 21:15.8 to finish 10th overall. Gaining ground down the stretch of the race, Sophia McNerney helped the Wave secure the team title by finishing 22nd with a final time of 21:46.8.

"Our men challenged the field right from the start," Myers said. "We knew what Tulsa and Charlotte would do and they executed. We knew what we needed to do in order to contend as well. Some days even a great effort is not rewarded with a trophy. It takes nothing from that effort because we will continue to elevate and continue to grow as a championship team. These men are a very special group. They are truly the foundational traits required to do this year after year."

In the men's 8K race, Tulane finished third overall to record its best performance in the AAC Championship since finishing second in 2016. The Green Wave ended the race with 61 total points behind Tulsa, 38, and Charlotte, 44.

"We had the best 1-3 punch in the conference and, honestly, amongst the nation's elite programs," said Myers "Bradley (Makuvire) ran a new school record and took home silver with Jack (Jennings) and Illia (Kunin) not far behind. We put a few pieces together between now and regionals, we will take another shot at things."

Makuvire broke his own school record (23:04.8) and improved upon his performance at last year's AAC Championship (fourth) by running a 22:55.6 and finish as the runner-up in the men's 8K. Also posting top 10 finishes were Kunin in fifth with a final time of 23:02.3 and Jennings in sixth at 23:05.1. Ryan Adkins finished 19th overall crossing the finish line at 23:43.1 and Alan Deogracias III landed 29th with a final time of 24:02.0.

Up next, Tulane compete in the NCAA South Central Regional for the opportunity to earn a bid to the NCAA National Championships. Regionals will be hosted in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Friday, November 10.

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