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This past weekend the Falcon Women’s Cross Country competed and finished 8th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. This is the best finish by an Air Force Women’s team in Division I and tying the best Air Force overall finish since 1967 either by men or women. There are over 330 women’s cross-country teams that compete in Division I women’s cross country.
It’s official!! The women placed eighth at the NCAA Championships - claiming the best finish by any AF women’s team in Division I and tying for the best overall #AFXC finish since 1967! pic.twitter.com/HCtrvVWglx
— Air Force Track & Field/XC (@AF_TFXC) November 23, 2019
With Juniors Maria Mettler and Mahala Norris finishing in the top 40, the future of the program looks great. Metter finished in 36th place and Norris finished in 39th earning them both All-American medals from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches’ Association. This is the first time in program history that the women have earned multiple All-America accolades in the same Division I championship race.
Our All-American girls ... Mahala Norris and Maria Mettler! pic.twitter.com/I27QH5LDtp
— Air Force Track & Field/XC (@AF_TFXC) November 23, 2019
We had two more runners place within the top 75, Senior Lindsey Blanks and Sophomore Mikayla Gallagher finished 61st and 71st, with Senior Teri Brady rounding out the Falcons’ scoring lineup, at 138th overall. Also running in the championships were Sophomore Jenna Kill and Senior Swathi Samuel both collecting top-200 finishes.
Our #AFXC women finished EIGHTH at the NCAA XC Championships yesterday!
— Air Force Track & Field/XC (@AF_TFXC) November 24, 2019
RECAP: https://t.co/Qp4vzpLaOM
There are over 330 women’s Division I cross country programs in the NCAA. pic.twitter.com/D2LLGGSb4P
”Our girls ended the season racing the same way they have all fall – for the team and ahead of our ranking,” head coach Ryan Cole said of his team. “The two things that enabled our results throughout the year were really the resiliency this group showed and the level of fun they’ve had pursuing being the best team they can be. The girls really care about each other and are extremely committed. It’s awesome to see that effort and dedication rewarded.”
FLY YOU FALCONS!!!