Cross Country Concludes NCAA Midwest Regional Championships

Friday, November 15

Peoria, Ill.

11 A.M. CT

DePaul University

NCAA DI Midwest Regional Championships

Cross Country Concludes NCAA Midwest Regional Championships

11/15/2024 4:30:00 PM | CROSS COUNTRY

Blue Demons impress in Peoria, Ill.

PEORIA, Ill. – DePaul cross country closed its Friday afternoon with a solid outing in the women's 6K and men's 10K races at the 2024 NCAA Midwest Regional Championships hosted by Bradley University. The Blue Demons earned 20th in the women's section and 21st place on the men's side, competing against four USTFCCCA-ranked teams.

"Today was bittersweet as it marked the final cross country meet for several of our men and women," said coach Geoff Wayton. "Both teams had strong performances, and while there were challenges, the leadership and dedication from this group have been instrumental. Although we hoped for slightly higher finishes, their effort and commitment throughout the season were clear."

On the women's side, freshman Tessa Roe led the way yet again, earning a personal record of 21:12.59, good for 72nd place in a field of outstanding runners. In one of the best men's 10K finishes in program history, graduate student Damian Rodriguez secured a personal record with a time of 30:37.54 at the Newman Golf Course, pacing the Blue Demons in 49th place.

"On the women's side, Meghan and Tessa led the way, with Meghan running right with Tessa for most of the 6K," said coach Wayton. "Madison had her best collegiate race, and Vivian continued her impressive freshman year. We're losing some incredible leaders on the women's side, whose example has been a driving force for the team's progress."

Three of the top five finishers on the women's side earned PRs in the 6K, with Roe leading the way for her fourth time this season.

Just behind her was graduate student Meghan Dieball, who secured a time of 21:24.47, good for 88th place.

Earning a PR in her senior season, Madison Volz impressed in 115th place with a time of 21:43.96.

Vivian Wyller and Isabella Orozco rounded out DePaul's top five on the women's side, with Wyller earning a 6K PR of 21:51.50, and Orozco finishing in 173rd place, roughly 45 seconds behind, to give the Blue Demons 20th overall.

"On the men's side, Damian delivered one of the best 10K times in school history, and Griffin ran the best 10K of his career," said coach Wayton. "Mason and others worked hard, but we didn't achieve the placement we had aimed for. Like the women, we're also saying goodbye to key leaders on the men's side who have been vital to the program's success."

Similar to the women, five of six Blue Demon men earned 10K personal records, pointing to their hard work as the season winds down.

Cracking the top-50, Rodriguez led the way for DePaul, with Griffin Lehnhardt not far behind. Lehnhardt placed 106th with a time of 31:22.56.

Mason Krieg finished just 15 spots behind him at 31:39.68, sitting at 121st place, rounding out DePaul's top three.

Veteran runners Lucas Cunningham and William Previdi, finishing just two seconds apart, rounded out the Blue Demon top five at 149th and 151st places, helping DePaul secure 21st overall in the event.

UP NEXT
DePaul concludes its season at the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 23, in Madison, Wis.

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NCAA DI Midwest Regional Championships
Newman Golf Course (Bradley)
Friday, November 15

Women's 6K
72. Tessa Roe - 21:12.59
88. Meghan Dieball - 21:24.47
115. Madison Volz - 21:43.96
124. Vivian Wyller - 21:51.50
173. Isabella Orozco - 22:37.68
198. Amelia Montgomery - 23:05.60
230. Meaghan Andrews - 26:35.24

Men's 10K
49. Damian Rodriguez - 30:37.54
106. Griffin Lehnhardt - 31:22.56
121. Mason Krieg - 31:39.68
149. Lucas Cunningham - 32:16.23
151. William Previdi - 32:18.16
175. Joe Knanishu - 33:12.04