MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University cross country team claimed the national runner-up spot at the NCAA Championships on Nov. 23, at the Zimmer Championship Course in Madison, Wisconsin.

The finish marks the highest for the program, as West Virginia totaled 164 team points. BYU claimed Saturday's championship with 147 team points, its first win since 2019.

Saturday's runner-up title marks the first for West Virginia in any sport since the rifle team finished in second place at its NCAA Championships on March 9.

"If I had one word to describe today's performance, I would choose spectacular," said WVU coach Sean Cleary. "I am so very proud of this team, and all that they have accomplished. As we watched the team move through this field to finally emerge with a second-place finish, it completes the finest season in program history. We watched this team finish with incredible poise and tenacity."

Senior Ceili McCabe once again led the way for West Virginia in her final cross country race as a Mountaineer, claiming sixth place with a time of 19:41.2. With the finish, McCabe garnished First Team All-America honors making it her ninth All-America honor in her career. Today's race marked the second time the senior earned a top 10 finish at the championship meet.

Freshman Joy Naukot was the second Mountaineer on the day to earn First Team All-America accolades, after crossing the finish line next in 17^th place with a time of 19:50.3. Redshirt senior Sarah Tait rounded out West Virginia's First Team All-America honors, after placing 34^th with a time of 20:00.9.

West Virginia was one of three teams to place three athletes on the First Team All-American list, alongside BYU and Providence. Additionally, McCabe becomes the fourth Mountaineer to earn three cross country All-America honors, joining Marie-Louise Asselin, Keri Bland and Katie Gillespie.

"Moments like this should not be taken for granted, nor not met with incredible fanfare," added Cleary. "While it would have been fantastic to have clawed back a few more points and stolen this championship, we feel incredibly satisfied with this result. In my opinion, this is the hardest running team championship in the world to complete."

Redshirt junior Emily Bryce placed 69^th for the Mountaineers, running for a time of 20:22.7. Graduate student Madison Trippett rounded out West Virginia's top five, placing 89^th with a time of 20:29.0.

Additionally, sophomore Lexi Lamb finished in 226th place, running for 21:26.2.

Saturday's race marked the final collegiate cross country meet for McCabe, Tait and Trippett. 

For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.