Lemont Furnace, PA - The Johnson & Wales Charlotte cross country teams ran for a final time in 2024 at the USCAA National Cross Country Championships on Sunday.
The Wildcat women led things off in the 6k women's race. Sophia Varela was the highest finishing JWU runner, posting a time of 26:53.30 to finish in 18th place in a race that was run at a much quicker pace than the 2023 event contested along the same course.
Aitana Matuty ran a 33:03.50 to finish 50th, while teammate
Jalynn Wright finished exactly 4 seconds behind her to claim the 51st finishing spot.
IN the 8k men's race,
Logan Shaffer was in the mix for the individual national title at each split. He ultimately finished 2nd overall in a time of 27:49.60.
Liam Robinson finished strong, passing several runners over the last 2,000 meters to finish in 5th place, posting a time of 28:53.90.
Dillon Neeley also closed with a flourish, as he moved into the top ten finishers with a time of 29:26.80, good enough for 9th place.
Dylan Michaud (32:59.60/38th) and
Erick Paz (34:15.20/46th) were the final two scoring runners for the Wildcats. The remaining JWU finishers were
Colby Belk (34:24.80/47th) and
Maleik Chalmers (34:50.80/50th).
JWU posted a team score of 66 points, behind only four time national champion SUNY-ESF's score of 29, and 37 points clear of 3rd place Word of Life Bible Institute.
Shaffer and Robinson earned USCAA 1st Team All-American honors for their top 7 finishes, while Neeley was chosen as a USCAA 2nd Team All-American.
COMPLETE RESULTS
