TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — University of Notre Dame graduate student Anna Rohrer solidified her place in the Irish cross country record books, while the men’s program registered its best national finish since 2005 Saturday at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
Rohrer became the first four-time All-American in women’s cross country program history, placing 17th to lead the Irish to a 15th-place team finish. The men placed eighth as a team, marking its highest placement since placing third in 2005.
In the first race of the day, Rohrer ran with the lead pack throughout the 6K course, finishing in 20:28.3. It was the culmination of her collegiate cross country career, ending on the same course she grew up on as a high school runner in Indiana.
“My cross country career has been full of highs and lows, but I don’t have any regrets,” Rohrer said. “Every time I put that uniform on, I raced with everything I could give, with my teammates in my mind. Days like today make me remember all I’ve been through, all the people that have helped me to this point and how grateful I am for every single experience at Notre Dame.
“I love cross country because it’s tough and gritty. Each race is a chance to show both mental and physical strength. Though I have fallen short of my goals more than once, I’m proud that I always put myself out there and fought with all I could.”
“Whenever Anna toes the line you know you will always see the best version of Anna,” Hatherly-Piane Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Matt Sparks said. “She does not set limits for herself; never once have I questioned her effort.
“Her humble confidence and ability to fight through adversity will over time make Anna Rohrer a Notre Dame legend.”
Following Rohrer was sophomore Maddy Denner, placing 81st in 21:07.7, and Jackie Gaughan in 119th in 21:21.9. Freshman Olivia Markezich (143rd, 21:35.2) and sophomore Jocelyn Long (178th, 21:52.1) rounded out the Irish team score.
Sophomore Dylan Jacobs led the Irish in their top-10 pursuit, earning All-America accolades with his 29th-place finish in 31:12.9. Junior Yared Nuguse (47th, 31:28.7), sophomore Danny Kilrea (31:30.8) and junior Andrew Alexander (67th, 31:38.6) maintained steady spacing in keeping the Irish in the top 10 through each split, and sophomore Matthew Carmody (122nd, 32:07.7) accounted for the fifth Irish scorer.
“Our men ran great today,” men’s cross country head coach Sean Carlson said. “Everyone we put on the line today did their job and most importantly ran as a team. The guys packed together throughout the race and held each other accountable. They are continuing to move our program forward and I couldn’t be prouder.”
2019 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships
LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course
Terre Haute, Ind.
Nov. 23, 2019
Women’s Results
Team
1. Arkansas 96
2. BYU 102
3. Stanford 123
4. New Mexico 168
5. NC State 190
6. Michigan State 209
7. Wisconsin 235
8. Air Force 259
9. Furman 290
10. Colorado 294
11. Washington 296
12. Florida State 308
13. Michigan 395
14. Northern Arizona 406
15. Notre Dame 415
16. Utah 471
17. Boise State 474
18. Penn State 482
19. Indiana 509
20. Boston College 517
21. Ole Miss 540
22. Illinois 549
23. Ohio State 567
24. Villanova 575
25. Tulsa 583
26. Oregon 618
27. Columbia 624
28. Minnesota 691
29. Cornell 693
30. Texas 714
31. Harvard 787
Individual
17. Anna Rohrer 20:28.3
81. Maddy Denner 21:07.7
119. Jackie Gaughan 21:21.9
143. Olivia Markezich 21:35.2
178. Jocelyn Long 21:52.1
197. Erin Archibeck 22:04.2
203. Anna Sophia Keller 22:07.0
Men’s Results
Team
1. BYU 109
2. Northern Arizona 163
3. Colorado 164
4. Iowa State 211
5. Tulsa 243
6. Stanford 248
7. Michigan 250
8. Notre Dame 269
9. Oregon 307
10. Portland 314
11. Purdue 338
12. Iona 348
13. Indiana 367
14. Furman 379
15. Harvard 384
16. Utah State 428
17. Virginia Tech 451
18. Wisconsin 462
19. Washington 466
20. Virginia 468
21. Boise State 525
22. Ole Miss 535
23. Villanova 556
24. Alabama 582
25. Texas 588
26. NC State 605
27. Syracuse 610
28. Georgetown 676
29. Florida State 694
30. Arkansas 728
31. Middle Tennessee State 865
Individual
29. Dylan Jacobs 31:12.9
47. Yared Nuguse 31:28.7
50. Danny Kilrea 31:30.8
67. Andrew Alexander 31:38.6
122. Matthew Carmody 32:07.7
129. Kevin Salvano 32:11.9
130. Brendan Fraser 32:12.7
–ND–