2024 NCAA Cross Country Championships

But before we switch over to indoor track, we had a few final thoughts to share about the 2024 NCAA XC championships, including explaining why track is not the same as cross country, revealing the top-20 finisher who called his shot on the LetsRun messageboard, letting you know about two runners who did something on Saturday that hasn’t been done since Matthew Centrowitz, before we give you a way-too-early look ahead to 2025 NCAAs. 

Graham Blanks joined the Gerry Lindgren, Steve Prefontaine and Conner Mantz club of repeat American winners as the year of Ed Eyestone continued with a BYU victory.

BYU won its second title in the Diljeet Taylor era as Alabama's Doris Lemngole moved up one spot from last year to win the crown.

The meet will be on ESPNU and the ESPN App.

The LetsRun crew has talked the  main contender and gotten the inside scoop from the coaches. What do they have to say from Wisconsin?

Ok State was historically good last year but head into NCAAs this year after losing conference. Can they repeat and give Dave Smith title #5?

The women's team title is there for the taking. It may be won with the most points in history, but who will rise up and win it: BYU, NAU or Oregon? And will New Mexico freshman sensation Pamela Kosgei stay undefeated or will 14:40 woman Doris Lemngole of Alabama hand her a first NCAA loss?

Last year, Graham Blanks accomplished something no other 21-year-old American man had done in 20 years - win an NCAA xc title before their 22nd birthday. Can he repeat and join the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Gerry Lindgren as repeat American champs?

Last year, nine Kenyan men and a record seven Kenyan women earned All-American honors at the NCAA XC champs. The total could be even higher at this year's meet. We explain the reason behind the trend and wonder if there should be an age limit. Is it fair to have a 28-year-old freshman join the team who has a PR faster than the American record?

Can the NAU women overcome last year's disappointment and send coach Mike Smith out as a champion in his final year? Plus a loaded BYU team looks to put a bad day in '23 behind them, and does NC State have any chance at a four-peat?

Oregon finished in the top 10 a year ago under Shalane Flanagan and Jerry Schumacher and will look to improve in '24. Plus meet the new NCAA superstar, who earned bronze in the U20 race at World XC and is the sister of a former WR holder. And how about some love for Lipscomb - which was top 10 last year with no transfers and no foreigners?

*MB: How about some love for Lipscomb and coach Nick Polk? They were 11th at NCAAs with no transfers and no foreigners.

Oklahoma State was historically great in 2023, can they repeat in 2024? How will NAU fare in Mike Smith's final year as coach? Is this Arkansas' best team since the glory years? Plus BYU is super deep  thanks in part to an 8th-year senior. *MB: Ok State's Dave Smith: "There are five teams that can potentially win...but I wouldn’t say we’re a 50% chance to win."

It's time to get back into cross country mode. With young American stars Graham Blanks and Parker Wolfe returning to the NCAA, the 2024 XC season should be a great one.