SACRAMENTO, CA- Cross Country closed their season on Saturday in California at the NCAA National Championships held at Haggins Oaks Golf Complex. It was the fifth straight appearance at Nationals for the men's team and the fourth straight time the women made their way to the final meet of the year. With colder than usual and rainy conditions, the men ran first in the 10k, claiming an 11th place finish led by Matthew Storer claiming fourth overall. In the 6k, the women took 17th place as Shannon King ran to a 25th place finish for her team. 

Storer competed in his third straight National Championship, and the Colorado Springs native and nine time All-American did not disappoint. After pacing himself the first half of the race, Matt began to pick off opponents as the kilometers ticked by. Storer pushed hard to get towards the front, and his efforts were rewarded as he claimed fourth place to lead his team and earn his 10th All-America honor with a run of 29:47.6. Hudson Majeski came next for the Cougars with a time of 30:57.6, while Klay Grant posted a time of 31:09.0. Mateo Luna posted a 31:26.2, and Ethan Wampler finished with a run of 31:36.9. Sean McCauley ran a 31:39.0 while Sam Schwarting ran a 32:14.3. The team claimed an 11th place finish overall for their strong runs as the tradition of excellence continued at the National level for CCU. 

In the women's race, it was Shannon King leading the pack for the Cougars. After securing a pair of All-American honors for her efforts in Track & Field last spring, King earned her third such distinction for her efforts on this day. Shannon ran an excellent race, picking off opponents on her way to a 25th place finish with a run of 21:08.5. Britta Holmberg, competing in her first season at CCU, was stellar as she posted a great race to claim 39th with a run of 21:26.0. The effort from Holmberg gave her an All-America honor in an impressive effort. Lucy Pidek came next as she posted a time of 22:33.1 while Kate Miller ran a 22:34.3. Ava Maginity ran a 22:43.0, and Maleah Wardlaw posted a 23:34.7. Rachel Harpt closed with a 23:53.4. As a team, CCU claimed 17th place overall as they continue to post strong results against the highest level of competition in the country. 

A highly successful 2024 season comes to a close with 3 All America honors earned and yet another strong showing from both teams at the National Championships. Under first year Head Coach Evan Verbal, CCU is in good hands for the future as they look to continue to grow the program and be known as a premier place to run cross country.