Catholic University Celebrates Great 2025 Season At NCAA Championships
Catholic University had a great 2025 season. They placed two female runners in the women’s race, which took place on November 22: Olivia Sobkowicz and Laurel McMahon. Since this was an NCAA Championship, this article will focus on the results from the race, not just on those two runners. There is no doubt that better things lie ahead for Catholic University.
Oklahoma State won the men’s Division I championship and NC State won the women’s Division I crown. The Division II crowns went to Wingate and Grand Valley State. The Division III winners were Wisconsin-La Crosse and New York University. Do you think better things lie ahead for Catholic University?
Catholic University Women At NCCA Championships
For the first time since 1991, Catholic University placed two women in the championship race, and both will be back next year. Sokowicz finished 137th with a time of 23:05.5. McMahon finished 221st with a time of 23:44.3. Though these placements do not look great, the fact that the Catholic University women ran in this race was a major accomplishment. Both will be back next year.
NCAA Championship In Cross Country Results
There are three levels in NCAA: Division I, II, and III. The winners in all divisions deserve mention, as do the teams that won championships. In Division I, in the men’s race, Oklahoma State won the championship. New Mexico was second, and Iowa State was third. The overall male Division I winner was Habtom Samuel, a junior from New Mexico. Rocky Hanson, a junior from Wake Forest, was second. Solomon Kipchoge, a sophomore from Washington State, was third.
For the women in Division I, NC State won the national championship. BYU was second. Oregon was third. Doris Lemogle, a junior from Alabama, was first. Jane Hendrengen from BYU was second. Hilda Olemomoi, a senior from Florida, was third.
In Division II, the men’s team results placed Wingate first, Adams State was second, and Colorado School of Mines third. Individually, Kidus Begashaw, a senior from Adams State, was first. Antonin St. Pierre, a senior from Wingate, was second. Adria Leragotta from West Texas A&M was third.
In Division II, the women’s team result had Grand Valley State winning. The Colorado School of Mines came in second. In third place was Wingate. Individually, Tristian Spence of Grand Valley State won. She is a Junior. Grace Strongman, a senior from the Colorado School of Mines, was second. Clare Rethmen, a senior from Walsh, was third.
Now to the Division III races in which the Catholic University women ran. First, the men. In the team competition, Wisconsin-La Crosse, SUNY Geneseo, and Wartburg were the top three. Individually, Emmanuel LeBlond, a senior from Johns Hopkins, was first. Mohammed Bati, a Senior from Augsburg, was second. Isaac Vanwestrienen, a senior from Cornell, was third.
In the women’s race, New York University was first, Williams was second, and Claremont-Mudd Springs was third. Individually, Audrey McLain, a senior from Middlebury, was first. Jules Bleskoski, a junior from RPI, was second. Clare Anderson, a senior from Washington and Jefferson, was third. This was the race that the two female runners from Catholic University ran.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that better things lie ahead for Catholic University. The fact that the two runners who ran in the women’s Division III meet are returning for next season is huge. Also big, even though no men from Catholic University qualified for this meet, is the fact that four of the top five runners will return.
Perhaps this is why Steve Rahn, the head coach of Cross Country and Track and Field at Catholic University, said, “They did really well! Just that they had an incredible season and we’re very proud of them. Looking forward to seeing how they continue to progress in the track seasons.”
