The women's race was even tighter as #12 North Carolina State nipped #18 Notre Dame by a single point, 67 to 68, to win its third straight title. As with the men, the winning score was unusually high -- only Virginia (71 points in 2015) has ever recorded a higher tally and claimed the title.
Louisville's Dorcas Wasike, last year's runner-up, moved up one spot to take the title in 20:08.1 for the 6k course. The battle for second wound up deciding the team title; Notre Dame's Anna Rohrer (20:19.2) , a red-shirt junior, was in second heading into the final straight but was overtaken by NC State junior Elly Henes (20:16.3). That two-point swing was enough to turn the tide in the team race.
Making the story all the more special is the fact that Elly, who was an All-American last year in xc, is the daugher of NC State Coach Laurie Henes.