University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: NIC TERRY PRODUCTIONS
Cross Country Wraps Up 2023 Season
12/7/2023 12:00:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware cross country team wrapped up their 2023 season with an impressive showing at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals on Nov. 10.
WELCOME TO THE 302 SQUAD
Guiding the full cross country season was head coach Kenyetta Iyevbele, who welcomed a standout group of six recruits: Leah Clear, Libby DeMichele, Katie Kuhlman, Marissa Mauro, Anna Pryor, and Nicole Re. This dynamic group of six made a stellar debut in the Blue & Gold, contributing significantly to the team's impressive top-five finish at the season-opening Spider Alumni Open (Sept. 2).
Among them, Clear showcased her talent across five meets for the Blue Hens, achieving a personal best 6K time of 23:45.0 at the Paul Short Run (Sept. 30). Re, also competing in five meets, set a remarkable personal best of 22:45.8 at the 2023 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals. Pryor attained a personal-best 6K time of 25:38.2 at the Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational (Sept. 15) and rounded out the year competing in three meets for the Blue Hens.
DeMichele and Kuhlman participated in two meets each, while Mauro raced in one for Delaware, each contributing to the team's success throughout the season.
ON THE TRAILS
Delaware blazed through a demanding season, competing in six races and earning top-five placements in two standout meets. Kicking off the season at the Spider Alumni Open, the Blue Hens soared to a commendable fifth place among 16 competing teams. This impressive start witnessed 13 runners achieving new personal bests in the 4K race, with standout performances led by Nina Sgambelluri. In her lone meet of the season, Sgambelluri ran a new personal-best time of 14:12.1.
Maintaining their competitive edge, the Blue Hens took center stage once again on Oct. 13 at their annual Delaware Invitational. Demonstrating their strength, the team clinched an impressive second place, fueled by four remarkable top-10 finishes. Molly Lashley led the charge, crossing the finish line first for the Blue Hens with a personal-best time of 22:40.5, securing a strong fourth place overall. In a tight pack, Danielle Eshelman (23:04.2) and Marissa Dailey (23:08.1) followed closely behind Lashley, claiming fifth and sixth place, respectively. Lindsey Volkman capped off Delaware's top-10 achievements, securing an eighth-place finish with a time of 23:19.9.
CHAMPIONSHIP SZN
All eyes turned to Mechanicsville, Va., the stage for the highly anticipated 2023 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Cross Country Championships on Oct. 27. Despite the challenges, the Blue Hens claimed a respectable seventh place. Once again, Lashley led the pack for the team, maintaining her stellar form and setting a new personal best time of 22:03.7, securing 26th place overall.
Following closely behind, Eshelman delivered a powerful performance, crossing the line in 29th place overall with a new personal-best time of 22:09.1. The event also showcased Hannah Smalley's impressive strides as she achieved a notable personal-best time of 24:29.6, landing 87th overall in the championship.
Transitioning to the NCAA and the Blue Hens final meet of the season, Delaware made a mark by clinching 19th place among 27 competitive teams. The spotlight shone on a quartet of Blue Hen athletes who excelled, setting new personal-best records in the challenging 6K event at Regionals. Continuing her remarkable streak, Lashley led the charge once more, claiming the lead for the Blue Hens and achieving an impressive personal-best time of 21:39.2, securing the 86th spot overall. Hot on Lashley's heels, Eshelman powered through, securing 93rd place overall with her own new personal best of 21:43.6. The momentum continued with Volkman (22:04.0, 115th overall) and Dailey (22:09.1, 122nd overall), both achieving remarkable personal bests, significantly bolstering the team's overall performance.
THANK YOU SENIORS
The Blue Hens would like to thank their senior class for everything they have given to the program. Carolyn Coletti and Nicole Schneider – thank you for giving our University so many outstanding memories!
WELCOME TO THE 302 SQUAD
Guiding the full cross country season was head coach Kenyetta Iyevbele, who welcomed a standout group of six recruits: Leah Clear, Libby DeMichele, Katie Kuhlman, Marissa Mauro, Anna Pryor, and Nicole Re. This dynamic group of six made a stellar debut in the Blue & Gold, contributing significantly to the team's impressive top-five finish at the season-opening Spider Alumni Open (Sept. 2).
Among them, Clear showcased her talent across five meets for the Blue Hens, achieving a personal best 6K time of 23:45.0 at the Paul Short Run (Sept. 30). Re, also competing in five meets, set a remarkable personal best of 22:45.8 at the 2023 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals. Pryor attained a personal-best 6K time of 25:38.2 at the Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational (Sept. 15) and rounded out the year competing in three meets for the Blue Hens.
DeMichele and Kuhlman participated in two meets each, while Mauro raced in one for Delaware, each contributing to the team's success throughout the season.
ON THE TRAILS
Delaware blazed through a demanding season, competing in six races and earning top-five placements in two standout meets. Kicking off the season at the Spider Alumni Open, the Blue Hens soared to a commendable fifth place among 16 competing teams. This impressive start witnessed 13 runners achieving new personal bests in the 4K race, with standout performances led by Nina Sgambelluri. In her lone meet of the season, Sgambelluri ran a new personal-best time of 14:12.1.
Maintaining their competitive edge, the Blue Hens took center stage once again on Oct. 13 at their annual Delaware Invitational. Demonstrating their strength, the team clinched an impressive second place, fueled by four remarkable top-10 finishes. Molly Lashley led the charge, crossing the finish line first for the Blue Hens with a personal-best time of 22:40.5, securing a strong fourth place overall. In a tight pack, Danielle Eshelman (23:04.2) and Marissa Dailey (23:08.1) followed closely behind Lashley, claiming fifth and sixth place, respectively. Lindsey Volkman capped off Delaware's top-10 achievements, securing an eighth-place finish with a time of 23:19.9.
CHAMPIONSHIP SZN
All eyes turned to Mechanicsville, Va., the stage for the highly anticipated 2023 Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Cross Country Championships on Oct. 27. Despite the challenges, the Blue Hens claimed a respectable seventh place. Once again, Lashley led the pack for the team, maintaining her stellar form and setting a new personal best time of 22:03.7, securing 26th place overall.
Following closely behind, Eshelman delivered a powerful performance, crossing the line in 29th place overall with a new personal-best time of 22:09.1. The event also showcased Hannah Smalley's impressive strides as she achieved a notable personal-best time of 24:29.6, landing 87th overall in the championship.
Transitioning to the NCAA and the Blue Hens final meet of the season, Delaware made a mark by clinching 19th place among 27 competitive teams. The spotlight shone on a quartet of Blue Hen athletes who excelled, setting new personal-best records in the challenging 6K event at Regionals. Continuing her remarkable streak, Lashley led the charge once more, claiming the lead for the Blue Hens and achieving an impressive personal-best time of 21:39.2, securing the 86th spot overall. Hot on Lashley's heels, Eshelman powered through, securing 93rd place overall with her own new personal best of 21:43.6. The momentum continued with Volkman (22:04.0, 115th overall) and Dailey (22:09.1, 122nd overall), both achieving remarkable personal bests, significantly bolstering the team's overall performance.
THANK YOU SENIORS
The Blue Hens would like to thank their senior class for everything they have given to the program. Carolyn Coletti and Nicole Schneider – thank you for giving our University so many outstanding memories!
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
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Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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