MADISON, Wis. – The No. 19 Penn State women’s cross country team placed 15th in the nation at the 2024 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships at the Zimmer Championship Course on Saturday. Brian DiCola of the men’s team posted a 157th overall result in his first championships appearance.
“We were really impressed with how the women competed today,” said Head Coach John Gondak. “We talked with them last night and said every race this season they had a plan and executed it, and they should have the confidence to keep that up today at the National Championships, and they did just that. They closed down well over the last 1,000 meters and finished as a top-15 team in the country together. It’s been a fun season, and I know the whole coaching staff is proud of everything they’ve accomplished this year. Brian represented the men’s team at the championships for the first time since 2017 and gained valuable experience that we’re hoping will translate into the whole men’s group in the near future.”
The Penn State women’s team’s result is its best team finish since the group placed 14th at the 2012 NCAA Cross Country Championships. The team also boasted three top-100 runners, its most at the national meet since that same 2012 year.
WOMEN’S 6K RACE
In Penn State’s second consecutive NCAA Championships appearance, the group’s 15th-overall finish was 16 places higher in the final standings than its 31st-overall finish one season ago. Florence Caron finished 19th overall, leading the group through the line for one final time in 2024. Caron became Penn State’s first cross country All-American since Elizabeth Chikotas (15th) and Jillian Hunsberger (36th) both earned the honor in 2016.
Behind the team’s leader, Hayley Kitching (90th, 20:29.1) and Maddie Ullom (94th, 20:30.3) also finished in the top 100 runners in the country. Sophia Toti placed 150th overall and Claire Daniels earned 153rd, rounding out the top five Nittany Lions. It was the first time since 2017 that each of Penn State’s top five runners placed 153rd or better in the overall standings.
No. 1 BYU (147 pts) earned the women’s team title, followed by No. 4 West Virginia (164 pts) and No. 11 Providence (183 pts). Doris Lemngole of Alabama won the individual crown, running a 19:21.0.
Penn State Women’s Top Seven Results (15th – 393 pts):
Place (Points) Runner Time
19 (15) Florence Caron 19:51.2
90 (68) Hayley Kitching 20:29.1
94 (72) Maddie Ullom 20:30.3
150 (118) Sophia Toti 20:49.4
153 (120) Claire Daniels 20:49.8
235 Allison Dougherty 21:37.3
241 Lea Hatcher 21:47.6
MEN’S 10K RACE
In his first NCAA Championships appearance, sophomore Brian DiCola finished 157th overall in the men’s 10K. DiCola’s finish is the highest by a member of the Penn State men’s team since Matt Fischer placed 78th in 2013. The Horsham, Pa. native’s appearance in the national meet was the first for a member of the men’s group since 2017.
No. 1 BYU (124 pts) completed the sweep, winning the men’s race following its women’s team title. No. 4 Iowa State (137 pts) finished second, while No. 3 Arkansas (202 pts) came in third. Graham Blanks of Harvard won his second consecutive NCAA Cross Country Crown, setting the course record with a 28:37.2.
Penn State Men’s Results:
Place (Points) Runner Time
157 Brian DiCola 30:19.2
WHAT’S NEXT
With the conclusion of the cross country season, Penn State now shifts its focus to the indoor track & field season, which is set to begin on December 6.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateTFXC) and X/Instagram (@pennstatetfxc).