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Cross Country

ODAC Cross Country Report: Week 1

ODAC harriers were very busy in week one with six different meets throughout the region. Some schools and athletes competed twice since last Tuesday, a rare feat in the collegiate cross country world.

  • 16th Annual Galen Piper Cross Country Challenge (Men: 6K | Women: 4K)
    • Meet Results
    • Competing Programs: Shenandoah
    • ODAC Men's Best: Brayden Shotwell, SU – 33rd at 20:35.8 (5:31.4 pace)
    • ODAC Women's Best: Madison Chorney, SU – 43rd at 16:46.8 (6:45 pace)
  • Eagle Cross Country Challenge (Men: 6K | Women: 4K)
    • Meet Results
    • Competing Programs: Bridgewater, EMU, Shenandoah
    • ODAC Men's Best: Gavin Diehl, BC – 1st at 20:13.0 (5:25.3 pace)
    • ODAC Women's Best: Erin Loker, EMU – 1st at 16:14.9 (6:32.2 pace)
  • Methodist University Downback Invitational (Men: 3.6K | Women: 3.5K)
    • Meet Results
    • Competing Programs: Guilford
    • ODAC Men's Best: Yassine Allam, GC – 5th at 15:15.4 (6:49.1 pace)
    • ODAC Women's Best: Kateria Peters, GC – 1st at 14:26.7 (6:38.5 pace)
      • Peters is the first winner of a race by a Guilford runner since 2018; 2nd overall winner on record
  • Roland and Darlene Landes Invitational (Men: 5K | Women: 5K)
    • Meet Results
    • Competing Programs: EMU, Hollins, Sweet Briar
    • ODAC Men's Best: Noah Hagberg, EMU – 2nd at 15:52.9 (5:06.7 pace)
    • ODAC Women's Best: Erin Loker, EMU – 5th at 19:48.9 (6:22.6)
  • Spider Alumni Open (Men: 6K | Women: 4K)
    • Meet Results
    • Competing Programs: Hampden-Sydney
    • ODAC Men's Best: Jackson Herndon, HSC – 63rd at 20:48.5 (5:34.9 pace)
  • VT Invitational (Men: 6K | Women: 4.385K)
    • Meet Results
    • Competing Programs: Lynchburg, Washington and Lee
    • ODAC Men's Best: Sam Daunt, WLU – 3rd at 18:21.9 (5:05.7 pace)
    • ODAC Women's Best: Oliva Warr, WLU – 8th at 15:49.1 (5:48.3 pace)


ODAC Top Times Reports

  • ERIN LOKER | EMU
    Loker, junior from Harrisonburg, Va., posted not one but two top-5 finishes including one race victory to kickoff the 2026 season. On opening day (Tuesday, 9/1), Loker won the Eagles Cross Country Challenge hosted by Bridgewater College. She posted a 4K time of 16:14.9 to stop the watches first by 22 seconds over fellow ODAC runner Olivia Morra from the host Eagles. Then on Saturday, Loker competed at EMU's Roland and Darlene Landes Invitational. She placed fifth overall as the top ODAC runner, completing the 5K course in 19:48.9.

    EMU finished third out of four teams in both meets.

  • SAM DAUNT | WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY
    Daunt, a junior from Haymarket, Va., kicked the defense of his 2025 ODAC individual title with the ODAC's best showing at the Division I-heavy Virginia Tech Invitational. Daunt placed third overall, finishing the 6K Buford Meredith XC Course behind just two Hokies with a time of 18:21.9. He used a pace of 5:05.7 to cross the line 10.3 seconds behind the winner.

    Daunt's effort was part of three top-10 finishes for Generals' runners. WLU placed second as a team behind only Virginia Tech with 53 points in the six-team table.

Sam Daunt
Erin Loker