DePaul University Athletics
Friday, November 1
Leesburg, Va.
9 A.M. CT
DePaul University
vs
Big East Championships
DePaul Closes BIG EAST Conference Championships
11/1/2024 3:00:00 PM | CROSS COUNTRY
Roe, Rodriguez pace Blue Demons for third time this fall
LEESBURG, Va. – The DePaul men's and women's cross country teams each earned top-seven finishes at the BIG EAST Cross Country Championships at Morven Park on Friday morning. For the third time this season, freshman Tessa Roe and graduate student Damian Rodriguez led the way, earning 31st and 22nd-place finishes, respectively.
"We were a bit farther back than anticipated today, but the women really showed up by holding strong positions," said head coach Geoff Wayton. "Our team showed resilience today, and there were plenty of strengths to build on alongside areas we can improve. As we approach the last couple of races, I'm confident that our athletes will rise to the challenge and continue to push each other."
Both race times were adjusted and pushed forward an hour to avoid the heatwave impacting parts of the country, with the women's 6k race at 9 a.m. CT and the men's 8k event at 9:50 a.m. CT.
"The women's side impressed me with the ability to maintain our place," said coach Wayton. "Maddie impressed by moving up through the pack, and Tessa had a solid day leading the way, too. Even with the loss of our top two runners from last year, tying for sixth as a team speaks volumes about their commitment. Vivian stepped up as a freshman, staying focused and taking care of business when it mattered. Our collective showed up and I'm happy about our efforts to start the day."
At the top of the pack, Roe held position for the Blue Demons with a time of 21:57.80, followed by graduate student Meghan Dieball at 22:06.00.
Freshman Vivian Wyller completed DePaul's top-three in 42nd place at 22:18.60 in the women's 6k.
Madison Volz and Isabella Orozco finished in 57th and 70th place, respectively, securing the Blue Demons their third-straight sixth-place finish in the women's 6k at the BIG EAST Championships.
"For the men, we didn't quite meet the mark we set for ourselves, but I'm confident in the potential we have," said coach Wayton. "Our top three really put in strong efforts today, showing the level we're capable of, but we need more depth and readiness across the board. This season is an opportunity for everyone, especially our young runners, to learn what it takes to compete at this level. I know they're ready to take on the challenge and improve."
Rodriguez led the men with a time of 25:01.10, finishing two places shy of All-Conference.
Mason Krieg was next in the lineup, earning 33rd place at 25:28.20.
Lucas Cunningham and Griffin Lehnhardt followed in 40th and 45th at 25:35.90 and 25:50.00, respectively, while veteran Joe Knanishu completed DePaul's top-five in 51st place, giving the team seventh place in the BIG EAST men's 8k race.
"Our veterans are hungry and determined, and they're setting the tone as we head into the track season. Today gave us good insights, and I'm excited to work towards bringing out everyone's full potential. This group has the drive, and I believe they're ready to keep pushing forward."
UP NEXT
DePaul shifts its focus to the NCAA DI Midwest Regional Championships, Friday, Nov. 15, in Peoria, Ill.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all of the latest on DePaul Cross Country, Track & Field, stay tuned to DePaulBlueDemons.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
BIG EAST Championships
Morven Park
Friday, November 1
Men's 8K
22. Damian Rodriguez - 25:01.10
33. Mason Krieg - 25:28.20
40. Lucas Cunningham - 25:35.90
45. Griffin Lehnhardt - 25:50.00
51. Joe Knanishu - 25:58.20
62. Mohamed Abdullahi - 26:22.60
64. William Previdi - 26:34.30
72. Dustin Hudak - 27:30.90
Women's 6K
31. Tessa Roe - 21:57.80
36. Meghan Dieball - 22:06.00
42. Vivian Wyller - 22:18.60
57. Madison Volz - 22:57.50
70. Isabella Orozco - 23:17.60
86. Amelia Montgomery - 24:49.80
97. Meaghan Andrews - 26:21.70
"We were a bit farther back than anticipated today, but the women really showed up by holding strong positions," said head coach Geoff Wayton. "Our team showed resilience today, and there were plenty of strengths to build on alongside areas we can improve. As we approach the last couple of races, I'm confident that our athletes will rise to the challenge and continue to push each other."
Both race times were adjusted and pushed forward an hour to avoid the heatwave impacting parts of the country, with the women's 6k race at 9 a.m. CT and the men's 8k event at 9:50 a.m. CT.
"The women's side impressed me with the ability to maintain our place," said coach Wayton. "Maddie impressed by moving up through the pack, and Tessa had a solid day leading the way, too. Even with the loss of our top two runners from last year, tying for sixth as a team speaks volumes about their commitment. Vivian stepped up as a freshman, staying focused and taking care of business when it mattered. Our collective showed up and I'm happy about our efforts to start the day."
At the top of the pack, Roe held position for the Blue Demons with a time of 21:57.80, followed by graduate student Meghan Dieball at 22:06.00.
Freshman Vivian Wyller completed DePaul's top-three in 42nd place at 22:18.60 in the women's 6k.
Madison Volz and Isabella Orozco finished in 57th and 70th place, respectively, securing the Blue Demons their third-straight sixth-place finish in the women's 6k at the BIG EAST Championships.
"For the men, we didn't quite meet the mark we set for ourselves, but I'm confident in the potential we have," said coach Wayton. "Our top three really put in strong efforts today, showing the level we're capable of, but we need more depth and readiness across the board. This season is an opportunity for everyone, especially our young runners, to learn what it takes to compete at this level. I know they're ready to take on the challenge and improve."
Rodriguez led the men with a time of 25:01.10, finishing two places shy of All-Conference.
Mason Krieg was next in the lineup, earning 33rd place at 25:28.20.
Lucas Cunningham and Griffin Lehnhardt followed in 40th and 45th at 25:35.90 and 25:50.00, respectively, while veteran Joe Knanishu completed DePaul's top-five in 51st place, giving the team seventh place in the BIG EAST men's 8k race.
"Our veterans are hungry and determined, and they're setting the tone as we head into the track season. Today gave us good insights, and I'm excited to work towards bringing out everyone's full potential. This group has the drive, and I believe they're ready to keep pushing forward."
UP NEXT
DePaul shifts its focus to the NCAA DI Midwest Regional Championships, Friday, Nov. 15, in Peoria, Ill.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all of the latest on DePaul Cross Country, Track & Field, stay tuned to DePaulBlueDemons.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
BIG EAST Championships
Morven Park
Friday, November 1
Men's 8K
22. Damian Rodriguez - 25:01.10
33. Mason Krieg - 25:28.20
40. Lucas Cunningham - 25:35.90
45. Griffin Lehnhardt - 25:50.00
51. Joe Knanishu - 25:58.20
62. Mohamed Abdullahi - 26:22.60
64. William Previdi - 26:34.30
72. Dustin Hudak - 27:30.90
Women's 6K
31. Tessa Roe - 21:57.80
36. Meghan Dieball - 22:06.00
42. Vivian Wyller - 22:18.60
57. Madison Volz - 22:57.50
70. Isabella Orozco - 23:17.60
86. Amelia Montgomery - 24:49.80
97. Meaghan Andrews - 26:21.70
Players Mentioned
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