Landmark Conference 2024 Women's Cross Country Championship Preview

2023 Recap

The Catholic University women's cross country team had a standout performance in 2023, rising from their third-place prediction in the pre-race poll to capture the program’s first league title since 2012. With six runners finishing in the top 20, the Cardinals posted a program-record 41 points, comfortably winning by 25 points over runner-up Moravian.

That score of 41 was the lowest in program history, shattering the previous record of 63 points set in 2012.

2024 Championship Information

For full championship coverage, including directions, parking, live results, and event apparel vendor, click the "Championship Homepage" button above.

Fan Parking: Parking space at Union Canal Tunnel Park is limited. Overflow parking will be in the residential neighborhood near the park.

The 2024 Landmark Conference Women's Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, November 2 at the Union Canal Tunnel Park in Lebanon, Pa.

The women's 6k race will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by the men's 8k race at noon. The awards ceremony will begin at approximately 1:15 p.m.

Catholic University

• Head Coach: Steven Rahn (7th Season)
• Team Titles: 2 (2012, 2023)
• 2024 Projected Finish: 3rd

The Cardinals are looking to build on last year’s success with a solid core of returning runners. Led by key contributors Katie Inglis, Emily Moehringer, Georgia Nussey, Laurel McManhon, and Alexi Grassi, Catholic’s experienced squad will be a strong contender. Inglis, who earned First Team All-Conference honors with a second-place finish, is the team’s top returner, while Moehringer (Second Team) and Nussey (Honorable Mention) also bring valuable experience.

Head coach Steve Rahn will also rely on his younger athletes, with four sophomores and three first-years ready to step up.

In the most recent USTFCCCA South Region Poll, the Cardinals were ranked seventh.

"We're excited for the upcoming champs as a culmination of all the hard work they've put into their training from summer to this point. The conference is continuing to build in the level of competition year in and year out and as always it will be anyone's race. I'm excited to see our men and women showcase their dedication, hard work and support of one another in a few weeks. It will be another exciting championship!" - Head Coach, Steve Rahn

Drew University

• Head Coach: Sean Robinson (4th Season)
• Team Titles: 0
• 2024 Projected Finish: 6th

Under head coach Sean Robinson, Drew returns a seasoned squad for the 2024 championships. With only one runner from last year’s team not returning, and six newcomers adding depth, the Rangers are ready to compete. Sophomore Skyler McGuire leads the way after finishing as the team’s top runner in seven of eight races last season. She clocked a 26:21 at the 2023 conference meet, placing 38th overall. McGuire is supported by sophomores Sarah Hattan and Ariana Vira, as well as junior Annelise Wade.

The addition of junior Kate Rice and sophomore Caitlin Mulvey, both of whom competed in Drew’s track and field program, gives the Rangers extra strength.

Drew showed promise this season, finishing fourth at the Misericordia Invitational and fifth out of 31 teams at the NJIT Highlander Cross Country Invitational.

"The 2024 Drew University Women's XC Team is young, talented and disciplined and is looking forward to Landmarks." - Head Coach, Sean Robinson

Elizabethtown College

• Head Coach: Brian Falk (14th Season)
• Team Titles: 6 (2014-19)
• 2024 Projected Finish: 4th

The Blue Jays, who dominated the conference with six straight titles from 2014 to 2019, are aiming to return to the top after a four-year drought. Leading the charge is graduate student Kelty Oaster, the 2023 Performer of the Year, who posted a time of 22:56.73 last season to earn First Team honors. Senior Amanda Kauffman, who placed 19th in 25:03.60, also returns to give Elizabethtown a strong veteran presence.

With a mix of experienced upperclassmen and promising newcomers, head coach Brian Falk’s team is poised for another deep run at the title.

"The ladies are working hard and showing genuine cohesion. I’m excited to see what they can do at the championship." - Head Coach, Brian Falk

Goucher College

• Head Coach: Erick Camodeca (4th Season)
• Team Titles: 0
• 2024 Projected Finish: 7th

Led by standout runner Tanise Thornton-Fillyaw, Goucher heads into championship weekend aiming to build on last year’s eighth-place finish.

Thornton-Fillyaw impressed at the 2023 conference meet, clocking a 6,000-meter time of 23:59.30 to secure eighth place. She finished just over a minute behind champion Kelty Oaster of Elizabethtown and less than two seconds behind Moravian’s Rachael Goodman in sixth. Her performance earned her Second Team All-Conference honors, marking the best finish for a Goucher women’s cross country runner since Katherine Currier's third-place showing in 2013.

Supporting Thornton-Fillyaw are returning runners Daya Sathyaraj, a sophomore, senior Reese Finnigan, and sophomore Imaya Edmonds.

"The women’s team is looking to improve upon last year’s finish as a team, as the group comes back a little more experienced. Tanise is looking to repeat as first team all conference and senior Reese Finnigan looks to guide the rest of the team to their best overall finish during her time in the program." - Head Coach, Erick Camodeca

Juniata College

• Head Coach: Stu Todd-Middleditch (2nd Season)
• Team Titles: 1 (2007)
• 2024 Projected Finish: 10th

The Eagles bring a young but determined squad to this year’s championship, with senior Rebecca Christophel leading the way as the lone upperclassman. Christophel has shown steady progress throughout her career, peaking with a 40th-place finish in 2022, and will look to make an even bigger impact in her final championship appearance.

Juniata’s hopes for climbing the standings will also rest on the shoulders of sophomores Beck Mensch and Justice Sheaffer, along with promising first-year runners Olivia Brenneman, Chloe Reilley, and Cece Williams.

"After watching this team grow together we are very excited to see how the Juniata women's team does at Landmark Championships this season. Much like our men's team this is a very young group with only a few seasoned veterans, but the team uses strong pack running and leadership to be a competitive team." - Head Coach, Stu Todd-Middleditch

Lycoming College

• Head Coach: Katie Sick (6th Season)
• Team Titles: 0
• 2024 Projected Finish: 8th

Lycoming wrapped up the 2023 season on a historic high, achieving its best-ever finishes in both the conference championship (sixth) and the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional (23rd) in the program’s 40-year history.

Leading the Warriors is senior Katryn Yocum. Yocum has solidified her legacy, becoming the program’s only three-time all-conference runner—on either the men's or women’s side. Her school-record 6,000-meter time of 22:51.4 earned her 44th place at the 2023 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional, and she became the first Warrior to receive USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete honors.

Yocum is backed by a strong returning group, including sophomore Ella Scott, seniors Maddy O'Connor and Isabella Fave, and sophomore Sydney Taylor, all of whom contributed to Lycoming’s historic NCAA Mid-Atlantic performance.

"The women have been so fun to see compete this year. We have a great leadership base that has helped us throughout the season, and I think that will continue to pay off in the postseason. The women’s team has worked hard and their positive energy is infectious. Katryn Yocum has been an exceptional leader and runner for us, so we are excited to see what she can do." - Head Coach, Katie Sick

Moravian University

• Head Coach: Jesse Baumann (14th Season)
• Team Titles: 2 (2011, 2013)
• 2024 Projected Finish: 1st

It’s been a decade since Moravian last won a conference title, but head coach Jesse Baumann’s squad is ready to make another push in 2024. After finishing second to Catholic in 2023, the Greyhounds return four top-20 runners, including senior Tara Smurla, a First Team performer who finished seventh.

She’s joined by Rachael Goodman (sixth), sophomore Alyssa Hockenberry (12th), and sophomore Alexis Hockenberry (20th), giving Moravian the depth needed to challenge for the crown.

The Greyhounds are currently ranked fifth in the USTFCCCA Metro Region Poll.

"The women have been growing throughout the season both in terms of their fitness and racing tactics. We saw this course back in September in what was one of their best races of the year, so we have a lot of positives to draw from, and the team knows how best to attack this course and the race. The women return virtually all runners from last year's 2nd place team, so we trust they have the experience to respond in the moment and have a great race on Saturday for the 'Hounds." - Head Coach, Jesse Baumann

University of Scranton

• Head Coach: Bill Burke (17th Season)
• Team Titles: 2 (2009, 2022)
• 2024 Projected Finish: 2nd

Scranton, the 2022 Landmark champion, enters championship weekend ranked second in the pre-race poll, just behind Moravian. The Royals are led by 2023 Rookie of the Year Kyrianna Nemitz, who finished ninth last year, and Samantha Hoffmann, who placed 13th.

With four first-place votes and a ranking of ninth in the USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Region Poll, Scranton is in a position to make a serious run at the title.

Susquehanna University

• Head Coach: JJ Clinchoc (4th Season)
• Team Titles: 3 (2008, 2010, 2021)
• 2024 Projected Finish: 5th

Susquehanna is poised to improve upon its fifth-place finish from a year ago with 11 returners.

Sophia Bostwick is the lone returner who earned All-Conference a year ago. Bostwick placed 14th with a time of 24:38.64 to earn Second Team honors.

The River Hawks roster is one of the most experienced in the league, with five seniors, three juniors, and five sophomores with championship racing under their belt. Susquehanna also brings five first-year runners ready to make an impact.

"We have a strong pack of senior women that are hoping to improve their standing in the conference this year! The goal is to improve from last year's fifth place finish and improve our team average." - Head Coach, JJ Clinchoc

Wilkes University

• Head Coach: Paul VanLuvender (2nd Season)
• Team Titles: 0
• 2024 Projected Finish: 9th

After finishing ninth in their debut Landmark Conference season, Wilkes is looking to take a step forward in 2024. Seniors Courtney Negra and Regan Metz, along with junior Mara Adams, provide key leadership for the Colonels.

Sophomore Brooklynn Donia and first-year runners Ava Bailor and Mikayla Miller round out a promising young team eager to make an impact.

"The Wilkes Women's XC team has been working hard all year and has dealt with and battled injuries but kept in scoring position all year. Our freshmen have been getting faster every race and our seniors have stayed the course and grinded it out on a week-to-week basis to hold things together. I'm extremely proud of this group's tenacity and willingness to show up week in and out and stick together as a team." - Head Coach, Paul VanLuvender