Valby takes the throne, NC State three-peats at NCAA XC Championships, by Oliver Hinson

This is the second story by Oliver Hinson for RunBlogRun. Oliver is a student at American University. Oliver describes himself as an “avid track and field fan and a serious runner who wants to tell the true, underappreciated stories, and someday, hopes to write a book”. 

He faced many obstacles in getting these two stories complete 

We first discussed the assignment after the closing of media credentials. 

Oliver bought a ticket to the NCAA XC Champs and did a series of interviews, covering the event and providing us with photos as well. We hope that you like Oliver’s story and his ability to get us on the course and feel the race, getting around five thousand moving, cheering fans, coaches, media, and athletes. What a day! 

Oliver did both stories for RunBlogRun on the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Now, I have to find something challenging for him. 

Valby takes the throne, NC State three-peats at NCAA XC Championships
By: Oliver Hinson

“It’s all about the shoes… the pink shoes,” the announcer called as Parker Valby charged up the hill to the finish, referring to the pink Nike ZoomX Dragonfly spikes that have carried the Florida junior to several impressive finishes in her time as a Gator.

He didn’t even have to call her by name, likely because she had put 50 meters on the field. Valby dominated the race, winning in a time of 18:55. She led from the 1k mark and never let up, holding at least an eight-second lead at every kilometer marking from 2k onwards.

“It’s a matter of experience and trusting yourself and your coach and your confidence,” Valby said in a post-race press conference. “I had no idea [where other runners were]… I just said to myself, ‘No looking back.’ Once you go for it, you go for it.”

Alabama teammates Doris Lemngole and Hilda Olemomoi finished second and fourth, respectively, while Notre Dame senior Olivia Markezich finished third.

Meanwhile, Katelyn Tuohy, who was expected by many to defend her title from 2022, fell to fifth place after dealing with illness leading up to the race. Despite failing to contend for the win, though, she enjoyed what was undoubtedly one of the best days of her running career as she led the NC State Wolfpack to a thrilling one-point win over Northern…