UVA women finish 3rd; men finish 6th at ACC Championships

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia’s Margot Appleton led the Cavaliers to an outstanding showing at the ACC Cross Country Championships, as the sophomore’s ninth-place individual finish helped Virginia to a third-place team finish, while the Virginia men placed sixth in the team scoring on Friday morning on the Cavaliers’ home course at Panorama Farms.

In an incredibly deep field of competition, the UVA women found themselves lined up next to four squads ranked in the nation’s top-15 at the starting line for their six-kilometer championship race. NC State’s Katelyn Tuhoy put distance between herself and the rest of the pack along with a pair of runners from Notre Dame, but Virginia’s pack of runners kept themselves well positioned at the front to remain within the top three and kept that pace throughout the race as the Hoos never fell out of the top three after spits at two, three and five kilometers.

It was Appleton who crossed the line first for the Cavaliers in ninth place overall running a time of 19:57.9. Following closely behind was Camryn Menninger who took 12th place with her time of 19:59.7. Rounding out Virginia’s top three finishers in the All-ACC places, Mia Barnett placed 17th clocking 20:13.0. Virginia finished in the top-3 for the 21st time in program history – the first time since the Cavaliers won the team title in 2015.

The Virginia men started with a blistering pace from the gun. At the two-kilometer split it was all white and orange at the front of the pack with Virginia leading the team score with 53 points. A deep field soon caught up with Virginia as Wake Forest overtook first place after three kilometers were in the books. At the finish line, Virginia placed sixth overall as Justin Wachtel led the Cavaliers to the finish line in 13th place with his time of 23:19.9. Following Wachtel was Yasin Sado in 17th at 23:22.3 and Wes Porter in 20th place with his time of 23:24.6. All three of Virginia’s top finishers earned All-ACC honors.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• The Virginia women placed in the top three for the 21st time in program history and the first time since Virginia won the team title in 2015
• The Virginia women have earned a top-three finish in each of the last two occasions that Panorama Farms has hosted the ACC Championships (2022, 2014)
• Appleton has been Virginia’s leading finisher in each race this season
• The top 21 runners were recognized with All-ACC honors
• In all, Virginia had six runners earn All-ACC honors – three men and three women (Appleton, Menninger, Barnett, Wachtel, Sado and Porter)
• The Virginia women finished ahead of two squads ranked ahead of them in the most recent national poll (No. 8 North Carolina and No. 15 Syracuse)
• NC State edged Notre Dame for the women’s team title by just four points
• Both Virginia squads finished higher than last season’s results (Men: 8, Women: 10)

From Director of Track and Cross Country, Vin Lananna
“Our women were spectacular today in every way shape and form. We saw dramatic improvement from the squad overall and their performance was outstanding today. I think the men might have gotten a bit out ahead of themselves today, but we will adjust and be ready to go in a few weeks.”

The Smithfield Commonwealth Clash
The Smithfield Commonwealth Clash, originally called the Commonwealth Challenge (2005-2007), has been a part of the UVA-Virginia Tech rivalry since 2014. It is an all-sports, points-based program with the Commonwealth Clash trophy presented to the winning school each year for its dominance in head-to-head competitions.

In men’s and women’s cross country, the commonwealth clash point is awarded to the team that finishes higher at the ACC Championships. Virginia topped the Hokies in both races booking two points for Virginia. UVA leads with 3.5 points compared to Virginia Tech’s 0.5.

Panorama Farms & XC23
After serving as the host site for the 2022 ACC Championships, the next major championship meet set to be run at Panorama Farms will be the 2023 NCAA Championships in November of next year.

ACC Cross Country Championships
Panorama Farms
Charlottesville, Va.
Women’s Team Results (6k)
1. NC State – 34
2. Notre Dame – 38
3. Virginia – 98
4. North Carolina – 109
5. Florida State – 148
6. Syracuse – 191
7. Duke – 195
8. Virginia Tech – 219
9. Wake Forest – 226
10. Georgia Tech – 240
11. Boston College – 339
12. Miami – 340
13. Pitt – 368
14. Clemson – 424
15. Louisville – 434

Men’s Team Results (8k)
1. Wake Forest – 44
2. Syracuse – 86
3. North Carolina – 87
4. Notre Dame – 92
5. NC State – 118
6. Virginia – 125
7. Duke – 181
8. Virginia Tech – 251
9. Florida State – 255
10. Pitt – 292
11. Georgia Tech – 319
12. Louisville – 324
13. Clemson – 359
14. Boston College – 451
15. Miami – 455

UP NEXT
Virginia will now turn its attention to the NCAA Regional Meet on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in Louisville, Ky.