Tulane University
NCAA National Championships
Cross Country Gears Up For Nationals
Nov 22, 2024 | Cross Country
MADISON, Wi. - Tulane cross country is set to compete at the 2024 NCAA National Championship this Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Zimmer Championship Course in Madison, Wisconsin. This appearance marks the program's first team qualification since 1998.
"What a moment for our program and institution to take the stage at the NCAA National Championship," director of cross country / track & field Adrian Myers said. "We've come so far since 2021, and a vision and expectation have now become a reality. That said, we are here to compete, not just participate. I expect our athletes to give their very best tomorrow. Their best is enough to shake up the landscape of our sport."
The Tulane men's team enters the competition ranked No. 30 nationally in the USTFCCCA Men's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll.
Looking back, Tulane visited this course to compete at Pre-Nationals on October 19. The Wave men placed 20th, outperforming several ranked teams. In the women's race, Caroline Jeptanui proved herself to be a national threat, finishing third with a time of 19:05.4. Notably, the top six finishers in that race broke the course record of 19:17.2, previously set by 2023 NCAA Champion Parker Valby.
The Women's 6k Championship Race will begin at 9:20 a.m. CT, followed by the Men's 10k Championship Race at 10:10 a.m. CT.
The 2024 AAC Champions - Ryan Adkins, Jordan Bendura, Bernard Cheruiyot, Juan Giron, Jack Jennings, Illia Kunin, Tucker Poshard, and Wondu Summa - will represent the Olive and Blue in the program's first NCAA Championship appearance in 26 years.
Individual qualifiers Caroline Jeptanui, the runner-up at the NCAA South Central Region, and Blezzin Kimutai, who finished third, will represent the Wave women.
"I fully expect us to return to New Orleans with something to show for our efforts - whether it's All-American honors or a team performance that surpasses all our previous achievements this fall," Myers said. "We know we're ready and have unfinished business here. There's no better place to prove it. It's time to go all in and roll the dice."
Live results can be found here.
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