NUCR’s 2019 cross country season ended on a high note on Saturday at the NIRCA Cross Country National Championships in Richmond, Virginia. After a long drive down on Friday, both teams were looking for big races on a flat course.
The team got off to a great start in the Junior/Senior/Grad class races, where multiple personal best times were set by their 8k and 6k racers. The women in the 6k championship race built off that momentum and put up some big races behind a huge personal record from senior Gabby Rao, who’s time of 23:45 is the third best in NUCR history. Next, the men’s team went above and beyond in the championship race and placed 3rd overall to earn a podium position! The squad averaged 26:05 for the 8k distance which included huge efforts from senior Luke Janik placing 6th in a time of 25:21 to make the first All-American team, and Brendan Hehir (22nd, 25:53) and Cam Leonard (29th, 26:07) achieving second team status. The team’s finish is the highest in club history. The men in the Freshman/Sophomore 8k wrapped up a successful day by setting even more personal records, impressive especially after waiting 6 hours to race.