Ceili McCabe sets WVU program record at Wisconsin Pre Nationals meet

Senior Ceili McCabe of the West Virginia University cross country team set a program record in the women’s 6k on Saturday afternoon at the Wisconsin Pre Nationals meet in Madison, Wisconsin.

The Mountaineers earned fourth place on Saturday, out of 33 teams. West Virginia secured 207 team points in a tough field of 20 top-ranked teams.

McCabe claimed a fourth-place finish, with a personal best time of 19:10.8. In her last outing in Madison, McCabe claimed first place at the then titled Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational, with a time of 19:57.4.

Freshman Joy Naukot had her collegiate debut in the women’s 6k, running the fastest time for a West Virginia freshman, 19:37.4. With the time, Naukot crossed the finish line in tenth place.

“Ceili again demonstrated that she is a contender in every single race that she competes in,” said WVU coach Sean Cleary. “Joy was incredible out there, as she handled herself with tremendous confidence in such a great race.”

Redshirt junior Emily Bryce finished next, adding a personal best time of 20:15.1, claiming 50 ^th place. Next, graduate student Madison Trippett finished 61 ^st , with yet another career best time of 20:18.8.

Graduate student Sarah Tait rounded out the field for West Virginia, crossing the line with a time of 20:30.0.

“The trio of Bryce, Tait and Trippett were the foundation of this incredible performance,” Cleary added. “The poise and confidence with which they ran through this field was special to watch. We have two weeks until the Big 12, four until the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals and six until we hope to be back here in Wisconsin. We will utilize this time to get ourselves prepared for what is next to come.”

Next, the Mountaineers will compete at the Big 12 Championship on Nov. 1, this year’s conference championship will be hosted by Baylor. The league’s championship start time is to be announced, as the race will be held at the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco, Texas.

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