CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – A trio of runners from Florida State, Stanford and Virginia highlight the first ACC Cross Country Performer of the Week awards for 2024.
Stanford’s Sophia Kennedy earned her first collegiate cross country victory at the USF Invitational in San Francisco, California, over the weekend to be named the ACC Women’s Performer of the Week. The sophomore from Indianapolis, Indiana, ran a 6K time of 20:22.2 to help Stanford to a team victory in its season opener. The Cardinal earned 18 points at the meet, placing five runners in the top seven, including the top three finishers. Kennedy is the first student-athlete in Stanford history to be named ACC Performer of the Week in cross country.
Virginia’s Justin Wachtel won the men’s 6K at the Spider Alumni Open in Richmond, Virginia, to kick off the 2024 season. Tabbed the ACC Men’s Performer of the Week Wachtel paced the way for Virginia to claim each of the top seven spots at the meet and to score a perfect 15 points as a team. The senior from Forsyth, Georgia, completed the Green Pole Park course in 17:56.2 and was one of just two competitors to finish in under 18 minutes.
Lily Guinn was named the ACC Women’s Freshman Performer of the Week, as she claimed her first collegiate victory in her Florida State debut, winning the UCF Invite in Orlando, Florida. The Norfolk, Virginia, native finished with a 5K time of 17:16.4 for the individual title while also pacing the way for Florida State to take the team title. As a team, the Seminoles tallied 18 points with each scoring runner finishing inside the top seven.
Women’s Performer of the Week
Sept. 3 – Sophia Kennedy, Stanford
Men’s Performer of the Week
Sept. 3 – Justin Wachtel, Virginia
Women’s Freshman of the Week
Sept. 3 – Lily Guinn, Florida State
Men’s Freshman of the Week
Sept. 3 – N/A
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