The postseason began for both cross country squads Friday as both teams competed in the ACC Championships in Blacksburg, Virginia. In a field that featured multiple ranked teams on both sides, the men placed second and the women third.
Leading the way on the women’s side was sophomore Maddy Denner who placed third overall and completed the 6K in a time of 20:50.0. Denner received All-ACC and ACC Freshman of the year accolades. Although Denner is academically a sophomore, this is her first season competing in cross country for the Irish. Denner executed a perfect race from start to finish, moving up 22 spots between the first mile and the end of the race. This race style has allowed Denner to excel at the 6K distance and hilly courses and be one of the most consistent runners for the Irish this season.
Also receiving All-ACC honors on the women’s side were graduate student Anna Rohrer (21:06.6) and sophomore Jacqueline Gaughan (21:18.4), placing seventh and 18th respectively. The other scorers for the Irish were junior Annasophia Keller (21:42.6) and senior Erin Archibeck (22.10.0), placing 36th and 55th respectively.
The third place finish for the Irish was a solid result, as the No. 17 Irish distanced themselves from No. 22 Virginia Tech and No. 27 Boston College. The two teams ahead of the Irish were No. 5 North Carolina State with 64 points followed by No. 10 Florida State with 76 points.
The men’s side was led once again by junior Yared Nuguse who placed second overall and received All-ACC honors. Nuguse completed the 8K race in a blazing fast time of 24:21.6. Nuguse found second place early on in the race and held off a late surge from an NC State runner to hold onto second.
Also receiving All-ACC honors on the men’s side were sophomore Dylan Jacobs (24:35.6) and junior Andrew Alexander (24:46.5) who placed fifth and 14th respectively. Jacobs was the fastest sophomore in the race. Also scoring for the Irish were sophomore Matthew Carmody (24:59.4) and sophomore Danny Kilrea (25:07.7) who placed 23rd and 29th respectively.
While the 20th ranked Irish were hoping to defend their ACC title, they came up five points short against No. 28 Syracuse who had all five of their runners finish within 14 seconds of each other. Behind the Irish were No. 26 Virginia Tech, T-No. 23 Virginia, Wake Forest, No. 21 Florida State, Duke and T-No. 23 NC State.
There is plenty of the postseason ahead for the Irish as both teams attempt to achieve their goals for the season. Next up will be the NCAA Great Lakes Regional, which will take place at Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday. Both teams will face stiff competition at the meet, as the men are currently ranked fifth in the region and the women fourth. Both teams will then hope to compete at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, which will occur Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
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