NEWVILLE, Pa.. -- After another record-breaking season, the George Fox University cross country teams showcased their prowess at the NCAA National Championships. With teams from across the nation vying for supremacy on the challenging Big Hill Springs XC Course, the men's team distinguished themselves with a historic 11th-place finish, while the women's team secured a commendable 19th place in the nation.

How It Happened
The standout performer for the George Fox men was Peter Weiss, whose remarkable run earned him the All-American honors — the first Bruin men's runner to do so. Weiss navigated the challenging course with precision, crossing the finish line in the 21st position with a time of 24:48.4. Austin Gappa and Adam Petersen also delivered stellar performances, claiming the 56th and 66th positions, respectively, with times of 25:20.4 and 25:29.5.

The team's depth, something Bruin head coach Mike Wilson had lauded all year, was further evident in the performances of Alex Mills, Gavin Grass, Gabriel Lachenmeier, and Andrew Ross. Mills secured the 75th position with a time of 25:34.2, while Grass, Lachenmeier, and Ross crossed the finish line with times of 26:10.9, 26:24.5, and 26:45.9, respectively, further solidifying Fox's impressive 11th place finish.

On the women's side, Kayla Aalpoel led the charge, earning well-deserved All-American honors for the second consecutive year. Aalpoel's outstanding performance saw her claim the 25th position with a swift time of 21:33.7. Ellie Rising was next up for the Bruins, securing the 76th position with a time of 22:17.5.

The women's team's success was further propelled by the efforts of Breanna Schmitt, Jessie Bailey, Kendall McKibbon, and Brenna Sclair. Schmitt completed the course in 22:51.4, while Bailey and McKibbon claimed the 188th and 216th positions with times of 23:02.8 and 23:14.1, respectively. Sclair rounded out her impressive collegiate career at Nationals, crossing the finish line with a time of 23:29.4.

What It Means
The collective achievements of both the men's and women's cross country teams at George Fox underscored not only their talents but also their collaborative spirit, setting a remarkable standard in the realm of cross country in the Pacific Northwest.

What Happens Next
The Bruins will look to continue to make history in the 2024 Cross Country season as they seek a fourth straight NWC Championship sweep and third straight Nationals Appearance.