University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
CAA Championships
Cross Country Prepares for 2024 CAA Championships
10/31/2024 11:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
ELON, N.C. – As the University of Delaware cross country team gears up for its final appearance in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championships, anticipation is high for the Blue Hens to leave a lasting legacy. The championship will be hosted by Elon on Friday, Nov. 1, at the Elon Cross Country Course in Elon, N.C. The Men's 8K race starts at 10 a.m., followed by the Women's 6K at 11 a.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW: Live Stats
ABOUT THE HENS
- Under the leadership of first-year head coach Josh Hayman, 12 Blue Hen athletes are primed for the challenge, including seven competing in their first CAA Championship.
- After building momentum with a strong finish to the regular season at the Arturo Barrios Invitational on Oct. 18, the team is determined to improve on last year's seventh-place finish.
- The Blue Hens have their sights set on surpassing their program-best finish of second place in 2019 and ending the CAA journey with a statement performance.
- Returning veterans Danielle Eshelman and Marissa Dailey were key contributors in last year's championship outing, finishing as Delaware's second and fourth runners, respectively.
- Leah Clear and Stephanie Herrera also provided crucial depth while Nina Sgambelluri returns to postseason action for the first time since 2022, when Delaware placed fifth.
HOW WE GOT HERE?
Delaware's season has been defined by steady progress across five meets:
- Lehigh Invitational (Aug. 30): The Blue Hens opened the season with a victory, placing six runners in the top 10.
- Delaware Invitational (Sept. 20): The team dominated with a perfect score of 15 points, led by event champion Gabriella Gait-Smith.
- Paul Short Run (Oct. 12): Delaware finished 34th out of 42 teams at this prestigious meet.
- Highlander XC Challenge (Oct. 12): The Blue Hens secured second place, with Kadence Dumas clocking a personal-best 5K.
- Arturo Barrios Invitational (Oct. 18): Delaware placed 24th out of 41 teams, with Gait-Smith setting a personal-best 6K time.
GOAL: CROWN US CAA CHAMPS
- Delaware will look to capture its first-ever CAA championship in program history
- There has only been four schools that have been crowned CAA champs (George Mason, William & Mary, James Madison and Elon), with the Tribe leading the way with 23 championships.
- The host and defending champions, Elon, aim to extend their reign with a sixth consecutive title.
- Delaware faces fierce competition from top returning talent, including Northeastern's two-time CAA Women's Runner of the Year, Abigail Hassman.
- This is the first time Elon is hosting the championship since 2017, when Delaware secured a strong fourth-place finish.
- These Blue Hen athletes will make their postseason debut:
- Dumas
- Gait-Smith
- Kelly Lynch
- Erin McGoey
- Ella Peterson
- Rachel Starr
- Lauren Thomas
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Players Mentioned
