Clairmonte is second straight individual winner for Wolfpack women, who extend conference record with 26th championship; Notre Dame takes men’s team honors for second time in three years, led by Nuguse’s first title

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The most impressive women’s cross country legacy in the Atlantic Coast Conference continued Friday with North Carolina State extending its winning streak to five years in a row and capturing its record 26th championship in the 43-year history of the event at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.

The promising men’s tradition from Notre Dame produced a second team title in three years, with senior Yared Nuguse completing his career climb from third in the conference final in 2018 to second last season to champion, leading the Irish to a 40-54 victory over North Carolina State.

Nuguse covered the 8-kilometer layout in 23 minutes, 3.6 seconds to help Notre Dame rebound from a five-point setback to Syracuse last year after prevailing by a 57-61 margin two years ago to secure the program’s first ACC men’s championship.

Senior Dominique Clairmonte prevailed in the women’s 6-kilometer competition in 19:55.1, helping the Wolfpack produce a 47-99 triumph over Georgia Tech. It marked back-to-back individual conference crowns for North Carolina State, following Elly Henes last season.

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The five consecutive team titles is the second-longest run in Wolfpack history, trailing only the seven straight championships from 1987-93.

Senior Hannah Steelman, a transfer from Wofford, placed third in 20:17.3, with sophomores Mariah Howlett (20:27.1), Kelsey Chmiel (20:37.3) and Ashley Holt (20:41.3) finishing seventh, 16th and 20th, respectively, for the Wolfpack.

Syracuse senior Amanda Vestri (20:06.1) took second, Duke senior Michaela Reinhart (20:19.3) was fourth and Florida State junior Addison Coggins (20:22.3) finished fifth.

North Carolina’s Sasha Neglia (20:24.6) earned the conference’s freshman of the year honors by taking sixth.

Runner-up Georgia Tech was led by a ninth-place finish from senior Nicole Fegans (20:30.8). The next four women’s teams – Florida State, Duke, North Carolina and Notre Dame – all separated by seven points.

Senior Ian Shanklin took second for men’s runner-up North Carolina State by clocking 23:08.5, followed by Notre Dame sophomore Dylan Jacobs (23:12.7), Virginia junior Rohann Asfaw (23:15) and Wake Forest sophomore Carter Coughlin (23;24.8).

Josh Methner, the reigning Foot Locker national champion, was the conference men’s freshman of the year by placing 11th in 23:30.1 for Notre Dame, which had five scorers in the top 18.