CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. – On Saturday, Nov. 18, the Michigan State women’s cross country team and Andrew Nolan competed with the best of the best at the NCAA Championship. The races were held at the historic Panorama Farm,which the Spartans have already competed at once this season.
The Spartans placed 16th with 410 points out of the thirty-one teams that participated in the 6k race, an improvement off of last year’s performance of 20th place. NC State achieved the three-peat after winning with 123 points, followed by Northern Arizona, then third place Oklahoma State.
The Spartans were led by Katie Osika, after running a 20:02.8 to earn a 30th place finish. Followed by Makenna Veen, who ran a 20:28.6 to place 70th. Lauren Freeland placed 108th after running a 20:43.8 6k. Grace Molloy and Emily Bardwell placed 149th and 166th respectively to finish out the scorers. Displacement runners Katelyn Stewart-Barnett and Eleanor Kendell placed 217th and 225th respectively.
Katie Osika earned All-American honors for her performance to top off a stellar season.
Andrew Nolan ran the demanding 10k race individually after the team fell short of qualification. Nolan ran a 30:53.4 to place 136th in his first NCAA Championship race.
The Spartans close the book on an impressive season, and look forward to another bright season in 2024.