Villanova cross country is nearing the start of the 2024 season. The team has already participated in two invitationals, and both the men and women have promising seasons ahead.
Five men ran at the Temple Owl XC Invitational on Friday, Aug. 30. Sophomore CJ Sullivan finished in 19:25.2 to place second. Sophomore Nick Sullivan was close behind and finished third (19:26.2). Sophomore Brian Theobald ran a time of 19:44.0. Sophomore Kai Mitchell-Reiss ran a 19:56.7. Pomona graduate transfer Bennett Booth-Genthe debuted as a Wildcat with a time of 19:58.6.
Columbia graduate transfer Nikki Vanasse finished first (17:03.8) in her Villanova debut at the Main Line Invitational on Friday, Sept. 20. The top-five finishers at the event were all Villanova runners. Senior Margaret Carroll finished second in 17:39.0. Sophomore Tilly O’Connor came in third in 17:42.4. Freshman Rosie Shay made her collegiate debut, finishing fourth in 17:43.8. Senior Emily Robinson was fifth (17:55.6).
Historically, Villanova cross country has had terrific seasons aided by Olympic talent. The women have won the cross country national championship nine times, winning six straight championships from 1989 to 1994. Most recently the women won back-to-back in 2009 and 2010 under the direction of current head coach Gina Procaccio. The women have dominated the Big East, recently winning back-to-back conference titles in 2017 and 2018.
The men have also had their share of national championships and Big East titles. Villanova won four men’s national championships, the last being in 1970. Under current head coach Marcus O’Sullivan, a Villanova record breaker, the men have won six Big East titles. The most recent title was in 2022.
This season, both men and women return talented runners.
The women will be led by a strong one-two of seniors Sadie Sigfstead and Emma McGill. The two paced the women in the Big East championship last season. Many athletes are returning from last year, as last season had such a young group of runners. Senior Margaret Carroll and sophomore Tilly O’Connor also will highlight the women’s top five. All of Villanova’s top-five runners are returning this season. Vanasse impressed at the Main Line Invitational, winning the race by a margin of over 30 seconds.
Last season the women finished third at the Big East Championships and fifth at regionals. Sigfstead was the only Villanova representation at national championships for the women last year, finishing 71st (20:28.7 – 6000 meters).
The women are scheduled to participate in the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational (Sept. 27 at 12 p.m.) and the Princeton Fall Classic (Oct. 8).
Postseason meets include the Big East Championships on Nov. 1 in Leesburg, Virginia. National competition will start on Nov. 15 at Mid-Atlantic Regionals in University Park, Pennsylvania. The season will conclude on Nov. 23 at national championships in Madison, Wisconsin, looking to punch a team ticket after falling short last year.
The men will be led by the one-two of fifth-year Liam Murphy and junior Marco Langon. Murphy broke a plethora of school records last season as a senior. Last season, he was named to First-Team All Big East and set a personal best in the 10,000 meters (29:05.5) at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals, where he won the individual title. Murphy also took first at the Big East Championships.
Langon improved consistency across cross-country, indoor and outdoor seasons. He was named to the First-Team All Big East alongside Murphy and set multiple personal bests. Returning with the duo are senior Devon Comber, senior Seán Donoghue and sixth-year Jamie Moreland. The veterans are backed by a solid sophomore class, consisting of Bailey Habler, Kai Mitchell-Reiss, CJ Sullivan, Nick Sullivan and more.
The men travel to the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on Friday, Sept. 27. Following Nuttycombe, Villanova will participate in the Paul Short Run on Oct. 5 hosted by Lehigh. The regular season will end at the Princeton Fall Classic on Oct. 18. Postseason meets kick off on Nov. 1 with the Big East Championship in Leesburg, Virginia.
Lastly, the national meets include the Mid-Atlantic Regionals on Nov. 15 and national championships on Nov. 23.
