Blue Demons Post Five All-Time Marks at National Catholic Championships

Friday, September 18

South Bend, Ind.

11:00 A.M.

DePaul University

National Catholic Championships

Final Results

Blue Demons Post Five All-Time Marks at National Catholic Championships

9/18/2026 2:40:00 PM | CROSS COUNTRY

DePaul men and women earn runner-up finishes in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – DePaul cross country turned in a historic showing at the National Catholic Championships Friday afternoon, with both the men's and women's teams earning runner-up finishes for the first time in program history.

The Blue Demons produced five all-time top-10 performances across the two races, led by senior Kalina Urbaniak and freshman Alex Krieg.

Urbaniak led the women in the 5K, finishing ninth overall with a personal-best time of 17:39.4. Her performance moved her to No. 3 on DePaul's all-time 5K list, improving on the 18:06.40 she ran at the Huskie Opener two weeks ago.

"Kalina produced one of the best 5Ks we've ever had in school history," said head coach Geoff Wayton. "We wanted an aggressive race from the women, and that's what we got. Our top four were outstanding, really helped each other out and just ran aggressively from the gun."

Freshman Ava Helmbrecht followed in 14th with a personal-best 18:09.5, moving to No. 6 all-time at DePaul. Isabella Orozco rounded out the Blue Demons' trio of all-time performances, crossing the line in 18:19.3 to finish 18th overall and move to No. 9 in program history.

Vivian Wyller finished 25th in a season-best 18:29.9, while freshman Cece Hilby completed DePaul's scoring five in 31st with a personal-best 18:39.8.

"I thought we were tentative at Northern Illinois, said Wayton. "Here we were the aggressors, and we had a great day."

On the men's side, freshman Alex Krieg continued his strong start to his collegiate career, leading DePaul across the line in the 8K. Krieg finished 11th overall in a personal-best 24:13.5, moving him to No.4 on DePaul's all-time 8K list.

"Alex was incredible," said Wayton. "He hit the mile mark in 4:35, which, for a freshman in his first 8K, shows you how confident he is in his fitness and where he thought he should be in that race."

Fellow freshman Bryce Counihan joined Krieg in the record book, placing 17th in a personal-best 24:31.3 to move to No. 8 all-time.

Senior Mason Krieg finished 24th in a season-best 24:53.5, followed closely by freshman Kiefer Barnes in 25th with a personal-best 24:58.8. Daniel Grauer rounded out DePaul's scoring five, finishing 63rd in a personal-best 25:51.5.

"Mason's returning from illness and ran really well," commented Wayton. "The second half of Bryce's race was amazing. Kiefer ran tired as a freshman and held on to get under 25 minutes for his first 8K, and Daniel Grauer did a great job in our fifth position."

Both squads ultimately secured second place, marking the first time in program history the DePaul men and women have each finished runner-up at the National Catholic Championships.

"It was nice to get second in this meet," said Wayton. "This is the first time in school history that we've ever had both teams finish second."

UP NEXT
DePaul returns to Chicago Friday, Sept. 25, at the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational. The meet will also serve as DePaul cross country's SAAC outing.

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National Catholic Championships Results
Burke Golf Course
Friday, September 18

Women's 5K
9. Kalina Urbaniak - 17:39.4 PB
14. Ava Helmbrecht - 18:09.5 PB
18. Isabella Orozco - 18:19.3 PB
25. Vivian Wyller - 18:29.9 SB
31. Cece Hilby - 18:39.8 PB
35. Sammi Rastrelli - 18:49.1 PB
39. Rosie Gonzalez - 18:57.7 PB
47. Sara Cordova - 19:10.4 PB
53. Frances Melinn - 19:23.3 PB
55. Juli Hoover - 19:24.8 PB
77. Gianna Sanchez - 19:49.3 SB
84. Lucy McNally - 20:02.5 SB
86. Hayden McGuire - 20:08.2 PB
96. Macy Leahy - 20:19.8 PB
141. Grace Havern - 21:32.0 SB

Men's 8K
11. Alex Krieg - 24:13.5 PB
17. Bryce Counihan - 24:31.3 PB
24. Mason Krieg - 24:53.5 SB
25. Kiefer Barnes - 24:58.8 PB
63. Daniel Grauer - 25:51.5 PB
71. Jackson Hopkins - 26:00.8 PB
82. Kyle Friedl - 26:13.6 PB
83. Caden Wolfe - 26:13.9 PB
92. Jack Broghammer - 26:22.9 SB
122. Hunter Bostwick - 27:21.9 PB
135. Reid Waco - 27:41.2 PB