2023 D1 XC End of Season Awards

Written by Maura Beattie, Finn Birnie & Garrett Zatlin, votes via TSR D1 staff

Additional edits & commentary by Garrett Zatlin

Welcome back to a trimestrial classic, our End of Season Awards!

Below, we listed our five seasonal awards for the men and five seasonal awards for the women, all for the Division One level. These awards are a way to highlight the accomplishments of certain individuals from the entirety of this cross country season. You'll also find our criteria for each of these awards as we list our nominees.

In the second-half of this article, you'll find the votes from our TSR contributors (click that link if you want to skip all of the summary parts).

Let's begin...

*Athletes who hold freshman status stemming from any type of eligibility extension (not including missions) are not considered for this award. International freshmen are included amongst these nominees unless we have reason to believe that they do not meet our criteria. Performances past 11/18 are not considered.

Nominees: Habtom Samuel Keleta (New Mexico), Denis Kipngetich (Oklahoma State), Brian Musau (Oklahoma State), Rocky Hansen (Wake Forest), Evans Kiplagat (New Mexico), Lukas Kiprop (New Mexico), James Corrigan (BYU), Timothy Chesondin (Akron)

Habtom Samuel Keleta (New Mexico)

One of the biggest headline additions of the offseason was Habtom Samuel Keleta joining New Mexico this fall. The Lobo star delivered on all of the hype that was given to him, winning the Griak Invite, the Mountain West XC Championships and the Mountain regional meet. With a narrow 3rd place finish at Nuttycombe and a strong 2nd place effort at the NCAA XC Championships, Keleta truly put himself in the most dominant tier of cross country talents.

Denis Kipngetich (Oklahoma State)

We weren't super sure what to expect from Denis Kipngetich this fall. His win at the Cowboy Jamboree, in retrospect, was far better than we realized at the time. His 14th place finish at the BIG 12 XC Championships wasn't unbelievable by any means, but a Midwest regional title and a huge 4th place finish at the national stage would usually make him the winner of this award in most years.

Brian Musau (Oklahoma State)

We were still trying to gauge just how good Brian Musau was after his runner-up effort at the Cowboy Jamboree. But after a shockingly great win over a loaded BIG 12 field, Musau ended his season with an excellent 8th place effort. And in retrospect, you could argue that this Oklahoma State rookie had the best conference title victory of anyone this fall.

Rocky Hansen (Wake Forest)

It was a highly disappointing development to hear that Rocky Hansen had sustained an injury and was ultimately out for the postseason. With a 5th place finish at the Virginia Invite and a 6th place finish at Nuttycombe, you could (maybe) argue that Hansen's regular season campaign was just as good as Keleta's given his schedule. And despite his postseason absence, you can't deny the incredible talent that this Wake Forest rookie displayed this fall.

Evans Kiplagat (New Mexico)

When a 5th place finish at the Griak Invitational is your "worst" race of the season, then that's a good problem to have. The New Mexico newcomer made a statement by placing 18th at Nuttycombe and later earning top-four finishes at the Mountain West XC Championships and the Mountain regional meet. And with a 33rd place All-American honor, Kiplagat emerged as one of the most reliable low-sticks in the country this fall despite his inexperience.

Lukas Kiprop (New Mexico)

With top-tier credentials on the track, expectations were high for Lukas Kiprop. And while he wasn't necessarily a superstar, he was still plenty deserving of being a nominee. A trifecta of 3rd place finishes at the Griak Invite, the Mountain West XC Championships and the Mountain regional meet were complemented by a "just ok" 45th place effort at Nuttycombe. Yes, he struggled at the NCAA XC Championships, but Kiprop was still one of the best freshmen in the country throughout the fall months.

James Corrigan (BYU)

It was a "good" season by James Corrigan this fall, who is technically a true freshman since he seemingly joined BYU's roster last winter, but his national meet effort was truly fantastic. Placing 65th at the Virginia Invite wasn't amazing, finishing 44th at Nuttycombe was strong and earning a 13th place finish at the BIG 12 XC Championships was a very significant step in the right direction. Of course, none of those results suggested that this BYU talent would earn an outstanding 32nd place All-American finish which is exactly what we saw from Corrigan on the national stage the other week.

Timothy Chesondin (Akron)

In retrospect, Timothy Chesondin had one of the more quietly-complete cross country seasons of any freshman. The Akron rookie posted a strong 7th place finish at Joe Piane, was runner-up at the MAC XC Championships and ended his season with a fantastic 36th place All-American effort on the national stage. His results may not have jumped off the page this fall, but it was hard to find a flaw on his resume.

*Athletes who hold freshman status stemming from any type of eligibility extension (not including missions) are not considered for this award. International freshmen are included amongst these nominees unless we have reason to believe that they do not meet our criteria. Performances past 11/18 are not considered.

Nominees: Doris Lemngole (Alabama), Juliet Cherubet (Texas Tech), Amy Bunnage (Stanford), Judy Kosgei (South Carolina), Leah Stephens (NC State), Annastasia Peters (Utah), Paityn Noe (Arkansas), Karrie Baloga (Colorado)

Doris Lemngole (Alabama)

This freshman ace was wildly impressive from the first race to the last race of her season, never failing to finish outside of the top-two, regardless of the competition or depth. After asserting her dominance at Joe Piane with a major win, Doris Lemngole continued to establish herself as the top freshman of the year after finishing 2nd at the SEC XC Championships, the South regional meet and the cross country national meet, only falling to Florida’s Parker Valby. The Crimson Tide standout didn’t need to acclimate to the Division One scene and has proven herself to be an immediate star as we head into the track season.

Juliet Cherubet (Texas Tech)

It’s not too often that Texas Tech comes into the conversation when discussing cross country, but freshman talent Juliet Cherubet gave us a reason to root for the Red Raiders. After two opening races in somewhat weak fields, Cherubet prepped for the BIG 12 XC Championships by taking down 2022 All-American Addie Engel at the Arturo Barrios Invite. Cherubet later carried a bronze medal performance from the BIG 12 XC Championships into the NCAA XC Championships and ended her debut season on the podium with a massive 18th place showing.

Amy Bunnage (Stanford)

Aussie freshman Amy Bunnage was instrumental in the success of the Stanford women this season and that showed when she was finishing amongst the leaders for a majority of the fall months. Bunnage came out with a bang at the Virginia Invite when she finished 6th and later earned even stronger results of 13th place at Nuttycombe before snagging the individual title at the PAC-12 XC Championships. The West XC Regional Championships and the NCAA XC Championships weren’t the best highlights of Bunnage’s season, but concluding her first season at Stanford with a 59th place finish in Charlottesville, Virginia is nothing to shrug off.

Judy Kosgei (South Carolina)

South Carolina’s Judy Kosgei made history for the Gamecocks this season as she became the program’s first All-American honoree following her 19th place finish on the national stage. Backtracking to earlier in the season, Kosgei started her collegiate career with three victories, one of which came at Lehigh’s Paul Short Invite. Her 11th place showing at the SEC XC Championships, while solid, wasn’t the high point of the freshman’s season. However, after securing a bid to the cross country national meet, Kosgei solidified herself as one of the top newcomers of the year.

Leah Stephens (NC State)

Following the departure of Florida State coach Baylee Mires to Louisville, Leah Stephens decommitted from the Seminoles and opted to attend NC State, a decision that ultimately turned out to be a great one. Stephens made an immediate jump into our top-50 rankings when she finished 4th at Joe Piane, 14th at Nuttycombe and 8th in a deep field at the ACC XC Championships. We didn’t see the freshman talent compete at the Southeast regional meet, but Stephens was key in NC State winning their third-consecutive national title at the NCAA XC Championships thanks to her 43rd place finish, only two seconds shy of earning All-American honors.

Annastasia Peters (Utah)

It didn’t take long for Annastasia Peters to make an impact on the national scene as the freshman talent ended her first cross country season as an All-American. The Utah ace began her season with a remarkable 3rd place finish at the Griak Invite and then followed that up with a 23rd place finish at Nuttycombe. With these two races under her belt, Peters took to the PAC-12 XC Championships and Mountain Regional XC Championships, finishing 16th and 14th, respectively. We weren’t expecting the freshman to crack the top-40 at the NCAA XC Championships, but Peters proved us wrong by placing 33rd to conclude an unexpectedly outstanding rookie campaign.

Paityn Noe (Arkansas)

Paityn Noe jumped onto our radar after her dominant performance at the Chile Pepper XC Festival, outrunning the field by 35 seconds. The Arkansas rookie would then go on to finish 3rd at Pre-Nationals a few weeks later leading into the postseason. Against a talented field at the SEC XC Championships, Noe held her own when she crossed the line in 5th place. Inexperience got the best of Noe on the national stage as she faded to 101st, but this is just the start of her career and the Razorback rookie can only go up from here.

Karrie Baloga (Colorado)

Colorado’s Karrie Baloga was a consistent scorer for the women of Boulder, finishing amongst the top-half of nationally competitive fields, week-in and week-out. The freshman impressed us the first time she raced by finishing 21st at the Virginia Invite. Her 39th place finish at Nuttycombe was solid heading into the postseason which was headlined by an 8th place finish at the PAC-12 XC Championships and a respectable performance of 82nd place at the NCAA XC Championships. Colorado’s newest freshman may be in the transfer portal right now, but wherever she goes from here, Baloga has made a name for herself in the NCAA.

*Evaluates nationally competitive distance talents who were not expected to make the leaps in fitness that they did this fall. Prior seasons are used as a loose comparison tool when attempting to list nominees. Nominees for this award do not include true freshmen or athletes who were in their first season (not necessarily of cross country) of collegiate competition. Performances past 11/18 are not considered.

Nominees: Sam Lawler (Syracuse), Jason Bowers (East Tennessee State), Ben Shearer (Arkansas), Said Mechaal (Iowa State), Chris Devaney (Loyola (Ill.)), Nicholas Bendtsen (Princeton), Rodger Rivera (Texas), Sanele Masondo (Iowa State), Dylan Throop (Penn)

Sam Lawler (Syracuse)

Throughout last fall, Sam Lawler was a decent backend option, although finishing 73rd at the Cowboy Jamboree, 99th at the Nuttycombe Invite and 110th at the NCAA XC Championships was hardly exciting. However, since then, this Syracuse talent has reached a new level. Placing 35th at the Virginia Invite, 34th at Nuttycombe and 10th at the ACC XC Championships was a fantastic streak of steady fringe-low-stick performances. That collective effort was rewarded with a 34th place finish at the NCAA XC Championships.

Jason Bowers (East Tennessee State)

Make no mistake, Jason Bowers was already a talented distance runner before joining East Tennessee State, finishing 11th at the 2022 NAIA XC Championships. However, I don't think anyone could have predicted this Buccaneer standout to finish in the top-two in all of his 8k races before placing 5th at the Southeast regional meet and then a jaw-dropping 22nd place at the NCAA XC Championships. No matter which way you slice it, the fall of 2023 was a huge breakout campaign for this ETSU ace.

Ben Shearer (Arkansas)

Going into the fall months, Ben Shearer was a very solid distance talent, but not someone who was expected to play a major role for the Arkansas men. He did, after all, finish 155th at the 2022 cross country national meet and that seemed like a fair representation of his season at the time. But a jaw-dropping individual victory at Pre-Nationals this fall was later validated by a 5th place effort at the SEC XC Championships and a 42nd place effort at the NCAA XC Championships. Shearer was already a "good" distance runner, but he skipped "great" and went right to "excellent."

Said Mechaal (Iowa State)

We debated Said Mechaal being listed here. After all, this is someone who was 2nd at the Griak Invite in 2022, ran 28:45 (10k) on the track and was "only" 55th at this year's cross country national meet. But for someone who was 43rd at the 2022 West Regional XC Championships during his time with California Baptist last year, Mechaal's evolution as a top-30 talent prior to the national meet was good enough to have him as a candidate this fall.

Chris Devaney (Loyola (Ill.))

Last year, the Loyola men developed Ryan Martins into a breakout All-American star. This year, they've done the same thing with Chris Devaney who was 3rd at the Loyola Lakefront Invite and 22nd at Nuttycombe. That regular season campaign was a clear improvement from what Devaney had previously produced and a 31st place All-American honor was massive validation for the obvious progress that this former Eastern Michigan runner has made.

Nicholas Bendtsen (Princeton)

After dropping a huge 13:35 (5k) PR during the spring, we questioned whether or not Nicholas Bendtsen would translate that success to the grass this fall. For the most part, he would, although it would be through a gradual seasonal progression, placing 56th at the Virginia Invite, 42nd at Nuttycombe, 4th at both the Ivy League XC Championships and Mid-Atlantic Regional XC Championships and then a huge 29th place All-American honor at the national meet. Admittedly, that national meet effort is what truly put this Princeton star in consideration for this award, but his reliability as a top low-stick was undeniably impressive.

Rodger Rivera (Texas)

We've always known that Rodger Rivera was a talented name, previously running 13:41 (5k) prior to the fall months. However, this Texas ace clearly took a massive step forward this fall. Yes, his 23rd place finish at the national meet was jaw-dropping, but this is also someone who took down numerous All-Americans with his 10th place finish at the BIG 12 XC Championships.

Sanele Masondo (Iowa State)

This nomination is a bit tricky to balance. Sanele Masondo was a JUCO star and he joined Iowa State as a potential low-stick ace this past summer. However, throughout most of this fall, Masondo didn't look anything like an All-American talent, or even a top-75 talent. However, after an unbelievable 16th place finish at the NCAA XC Championships, we would classify this Cyclone star as a breakout name.

Dylan Throop (Penn)

Prior to this fall, Dylan Throop had promising moments, running 13:49 (5k) and 28:48 (10k). However, injuries from prior seasons and unexciting fall campaigns made this Penn ace a standout runner during the 2023 cross country season. Over the last few months, Throop took 3rd place at the Battle in Beantown, 7th at Pre-Nationals and was runner-up at the Ivy League XC Championships. Another injury ended his season early, but that shouldn't take away from what he accomplished this fall.

*Evaluates nationally competitive distance talents who were not expected to make the leaps in fitness that they did this fall. Prior seasons are used as a loose comparison tool when attempting to list nominees. Nominees for this award do not include true freshmen or athletes who were in their first season (not necessarily of cross country) of collegiate competition. Performances past 11/18 are not considered.

Nominees: Chloe Scrimgeour (Georgetown), Melissa Riggins (Georgetown), Kimberley May (Providence), Ali Upshaw (Northern Arizona), Rosina Machu (Gonzaga), Sydney Thorvaldson (Arkansas), Phoebe Anderson (Columbia), Nicola Jansen (New Mexico), Mckaylie Caesar (Utah)

Chloe Scrimgeour (Georgetown)

Chloe Scrimgeour's 2nd place finish at the Virginia Invite and 7th place finish at Nuttycombe were two performances that were shockingly great for this Hoya star. By the time the national meet rolled around, it wasn’t surprising to see Scrimgeour deliver on the big day with an 8th place showing. We knew that this Georgetown talent could possibly. bea top-50 runner this fall, but her jump into the highest tier of competitors was a very pleasant surprise.

Melissa Riggins (Georgetown)

With track PRs of 2:03 (800) and 4:10 (1500), we weren’t expecting Georgetown’s Melissa Riggins to make an impact on the cross country course -- it's rare for middle distance talents to also thrive at the highest levels on the grass. Riggins kicked-off her junior season with a strong 13th place finish at the Virginia Invite and then finished 15th at Nuttycombe, two jaw-dropping results which suggested that this Pennsylvania native maybe had the best range in the NCAA. The Hoya junior went on to record a DNF at the cross country national meet. And while that was certainly a disappointing end to her season, it shouldn't take away from her stunning rise from middle-lineup contributor to top-tier low-stick.

Kimberley May (Providence)

Providence’s Kimberley May was solid in four of her five races this fall. During the regular season, she impressed us with a 10th place finish at the Virginia Invite as well as her 19th place finish at Nuttycombe. For someone who was predominantly a metric miler, those were shockingly great results. The Providence junior finished in 116th place at the NCAA XC Championships. And while that was obviously an underwhelming effort, we should still acknowledge how far this Friar star has come in 2023.

Ali Upshaw (Northern Arizona)

After transferring from New Mexico to Northern Arizona, Ali Upshaw saw immediate success. In her first true test of the season, the new Lumberjack finished 12th at Nuttycombe, a massive breakout effort where she finally delivered on her raw potential. Upshaw may have missed out on an All-American finish, but her 57th place finish at the NCAA XC Championships was 89 places higher than her 2022 showing. We knew that the newest NAU scorer had the potential to be a top-tier talent one day, but for her to convincingly step up the way that she did, specifically at Nuttycombe, was beyond impressive.

Rosina Machu (Gonzaga)

This was a great sophomore season for Gonzaga’s Rosina Machu, one that was highlighted by three individual victories, a WCC XC Championship title and an All-American honor. Traveling from Washington to Illinois for the Loyola Lakefront Invite, Machu didn’t waste any time making a statement as she beat Ohio State’s Addie Engel by 24 seconds for the win. Machu eventually qualified for her first NCAA XC Championships and made the most of her time in Virginia. The Bulldog stud didn’t need any experience to solidify herself as one of the best as she earned a monster 16th place finish, far ahead of what anyone would’ve expected of Machu at the start the season.

Sydney Thorvaldson (Arkansas)

As a high school prep athlete, Sydney Thorvaldson was at the top. The Arkansas coaches opted to redshirt Thorvaldson during her freshman cross country season, giving her the chance to acclimate to not only the Razorbacks' training program, but also the Division One scene. In 2022, Thorvaldson ended her first cross country season at the NCAA XC Championships with a 113th place finish. Fast forward one year and the redshirt sophomore has finished 11th at the NCAA XC Championships, a mere three seconds out of a top-10 All-American honor. All season long, Thorvaldson was making a case for herself to be an All-American given her consistent top-six finishes -- and her honor was rightfully earned.

Phoebe Anderson (Columbia)

Columbia’s Phoebe Anderson was a roll during the 2023 outdoor track season, one that was highlighted by a 15:44 (5k) performance. But even that effort couldn't have prepared us for what this Columbia ace would do on the grass. Anderson carried over that momentum to the cross country course right away as she began her season with a 4th place finish at the Virginia Invite before placing 17th at Nuttycombe and 2nd place at the Ivy League XC Championships. The 2023 NCAA XC Championships was the third national meet for Anderson and as the saying goes, “third time’s the charm.” Anderson earned her first All-American honor thanks to a fantastic 29th place finish, well ahead of her 2021 and 2022 national meet finishes.

Nicola Jansen (New Mexico)

Over the summer, Nicola Jansen followed Coach Darren Gauson from Bradley University to New Mexico. The Lobo ace began her season with a head-turning 2nd place showing at the Griak Invite. Jansen followed up that effort with a 21st place finish at Nuttycombe, making a case for herself to be an All-American come November. Sure enough, Jansen capped off a breakout season with a 36th place finish at Panorama Farms and still has another season left to improve upon that performance.

Mckaylie Caesar (Utah)

While Mckaylie Caesar was at Cal State Fullerton, the highest that she ever finished at the West Regional XC Championships was 48th place. One year later, while donning a Utah singlet, Caesar looked like a whole new runner. The Ute senior started her fall season with a 5th place finish at the Griak Invite before heading to Nuttycombe and finishing in 76th place. Her 9th place showing in a highly competitive PAC-12 XC Championship field set up Caesar for the opportunity to challenge for a top-50 finish at the cross country national meet. Of course, Caesar not only cracked the top-50, but she jumped all the way to 26th place at the NCAA XC Championships in what was a stunning end-of-season result

*Must have run attached at least once this fall and must have been attached during race in question. Multiple races over the span of a certain timeframe do not count as a lone "performance". However, performances that are amplified by the results of other meets/individuals with appropriate context are included. TSR writers can vote for the performance that they believe is either the most impressive, the most entertaining or the most surprising. Performances past 11/18 are not considered.

Nominees: Graham Blanks wins Nuttycombe Invite, Graham Blanks wins NCAA XC Championships, Chandler Gibbens upsets field to win Joe Piane Invite, Ben Shearer's breakout race gives him Pre-Nationals win, Drew Bosley wins the Virginia Invite, Brian Musau fends off Alex Maier to win BIG 12 individual title, Sanele Masondo finishes 16th at the NCAA XC Championships

Graham Blanks wins Nuttycombe Invite

The wind and rain couldn’t stop Graham Blanks as he stormed to victory at the nation’s top meet of the regular season. The Harvard star remained patient in the pack before unleashing a devastating surge with 800 meters to go. That bold move proved to be decisive as he powered up the home stretch to take the win and put himself in the national title conversation.

Graham Blanks wins NCAA XC Championships

Graham Blanks entered the “Big Dance” as one of the few athletes who was undefeated. In his toughest race yet, Blanks did what he does best and remained patient. Much like he did at Nuttycombe, he applied the pressure with 800 meters to go and never looked back. This victory not only capped off an undefeated season for the Crimson ace, but it also etched his name into the history books as the first-ever Ivy League victor.

Chandler Gibbens upsets field to win Joe Piane Invite

After a breakout season in the spring, many were expecting to see another jump in fitness from Chandler Gibbens. However, I don’t think many were expecting a performance of this caliber. The Kansas standout secured a career-defining victory at the Joe Piane Invite over the Alabama duo of Hillary Cheruiyot and Victor Kiprop as well as a multitude of top-tier All-American stars.

Ben Shearer's breakout race gives him Pre-Nationals win

Ben Shearer has always been plenty talented, but his victory at Pre-Nationals is without a doubt the best performance of his career. The redshirt sophomore left nothing to chance in the final kilometer, taking down fellow teammates Kirami Yego and Patrick Kiprop, a duo who would later feature in the top-15 at the NCAA XC Championships. His solo victory proved pivotal for the Razorbacks who also captured the Pre-Nationals team title.

Drew Bosley wins the Virginia Invite

While this victory wasn’t the most surprising of the season, it doesn't make it any less impressive. Drew Bosley handled a heavily loaded field with ease, stating his case as to why he would be an individual national title threat. Not to mention, the Lumberjack stud took down Stanford superstar Ky Robinson, someone who would later go on to snag a bronze medal at the NCAA XC Championships.

Brian Musau fends off Alex Maier to win BIG 12 individual title

In only his second race in America’s Brightest Orange, Brian Musau showed us why he was going to be a problem come the national meet. The Kenyan newcomer set a furious pace on his home course, a pace which was bold enough to shake fellow Cowboy and multi-time All-American, Alex Maier. Musau would later go on to capture a top-10 finish at the NCAA XC Championships and guide OSU to their first team title since 2012.

Sanele Masondo finishes 16th at the NCAA XC Championships

Sanele Masondo’s run at the national meet may have been the biggest surprise of the season! The Iowa State star had been dominant on the JUCO scene, but was yet to showcase that talent at the D1 level -- that was, until he crushed thrived in Charlottesville. Masondo's top-20 finish validated the low-stick potential that we knew he had, but had not yet seen until his season finale performance.

*Must have run attached at least once this fall and must have been attached during race in question. Multiple races over the span of a certain timeframe do not count as a lone "performance". However, performances that are amplified by the results of other meets/individuals with appropriate context are included. TSR writers can vote for the performance that they believe is either the most impressive, the most entertaining or the most surprising. Performances past 11/18 are not considered.

Nominees: Parker Valby wins Nuttycombe Invite, Parker Valby wins NCAA XC Championships, Parker Valby comfortably pulls away from Lemngole to win SEC title, Doris Lemngole dominates Joe Piane field en route to win, Carmen Alder earns stunning win at Pre-Nationals, Taylor Roe outruns Billah Jepkirui to win BIG 12 individual title, Katelyn Tuohy wins ACC title, Elise Stearns wins Virginia Invite

Parker Valby wins Nuttycombe Invite

To put it simply, this victory was phenomenal. Not only did Parker Valby upset Wolfpack phenom Katelyn Tuohy, but she did it in an unprecedented manner. A 12-second winning margin is beyond impressive, especially over someone as talented as Tuohy. Valby also shattered the course record despite battling muddy and rainy conditions.

Parker Valby wins NCAA XC Championships

After narrowly missing out last fall, Parker Valby proved that her aggressive front-running tactics can work even on the grandest of stages. The Gator ace set a relentless pace the other week, opening up a 21-second gap at the 4k mark. Her gusty effort was rewarded with a monumental victory, a result that capped off an undefeated season and helped guide the Florida women to a 5th place team finish, their highest in school history.

Parker Valby comfortably pulls away from Lemngole to win SEC title

By now, you’re probably beginning to sense a theme! Parker Valby’s aggressive tactics were too much for Alabama star Doris Lemngole to contend with at the SEC XC Championships. Lemnogole remained firm until the 4k mark, but the Gator had another gear and pulled away to register a commanding win. That was an impressive victory over someone who would later go on to earn a silver medal at the national meet.

Doris Lemngole dominates Joe Piane field en route to win

Speaking of Doris Lemngole, the Crimson Tide freshman burst onto the scene in style after taking down Wolfpack superstar Kelsey Chmiel, as well as NCAA steeplechase champion, Olivia Markezich, at the Joe Piane Invitational. A nine-second victory over some of the nation's top talent is no small feat, so it was no wonder this result left everyone on high alert. Lemngole’s exploits here were only the beginning of what ended up being a monumental season for the Alabama newcomer.

Carmen Alder earns stunning win at Pre-Nationals

It’s no secret that Carmen Adler is talented. After all, she has showcased this numerous times over the mile/1500 meter distance. That being said, I don't think anyone was expecting her to take down a top-heavy field at Pre-Nationals. The BYU youngster dominated, crossing the line a distant 10 seconds ahead of runner-up to secure her first collegiate win. Not only that, but Adler’s low-stick performance was enough to guide the Cougars to a statement team victory.

Taylor Roe outruns Billah Jepkirui to win BIG 12 individual title

Oklahoma State veteran Taylor Roe kicked-off her season in style with a commanding victory over fellow Cowgirl Billah Jepkirui on their home course. While this result may not seem all that surprising on the surface, it is made even more impressive when you factor in that Jepkirui went on to finish 7th at the NCAA XC Championships. A rust-busting victory over a top-tier talent in the nation sure is a performance worthy of making our list.

Katelyn Tuohy wins ACC title

This may be the most unsurprising result on this list, but nevertheless, a victory over a field of this caliber is always something to be admired. The Wolfpack phenom’s aggressive move in the final kilometer was enough to earn her second individual ACC cross country title and guide the NC State women to yet another team title. This performance was also an impressive bounce back after her 2nd place finish to Florida’s Parker Valby at the Nuttycombe Invite.

Elise Stearns wins Virginia Invite

Northern Arizona star Elise Stearns may have won what was the closest race of the season. The Lumberjack junior took down a loaded field, narrowly edging Georgetown’s Chloe Scrimengeour by a mere 0.80 seconds. Stearns’ victory cemented herself as an “outside national title contender” and showed us why she was the focal point of an extremely talented Lumberjack contingent.

*Considers performances throughout the entirety of the 2023 cross country season. Success relative to seasonal expectations or success relative to historical accolades of the program are factored into account when listing nominees. Performances past 11/18 are not considered.

Nominees: Dave Smith (Oklahoma State), Mike Smith (Northern Arizona), Ed Eyestone (BYU), Chris Buckham (Arkansas), Jeremy Sudbury (Iowa State), Greg Metcalf (Texas), Jason Vigilante (Princeton), Darren Gauson (New Mexico), Lyle Weese (Montana State)

Dave Smith (Oklahoma State)

Let's not complicate things: Oklahoma State was overwhelmingly elite this fall. Sure, they didn't race a lot during the regular season, but they dominated their postseason meets which included the BIG 12 XC Championships, debatably the toughest conference meet in the NCAA this fall, at least at the top-end. And with five men in the top-15 on the national stage, there was no denying that Dave Smith built the best team in the nation this fall.

Mike Smith (Northern Arizona)

Scoring 71 points on the national stage and not coming all that close to winning a national title is an absurd thought. But if you're looking at a team's entire body of work throughout the season, then Coach Mike Smith may have an argument to win this award (although it'd be a stretch). Five men in the top-25 of the national meet and dominating the Virginia Invite without three national meet scorers is wildly impressive.

Ed Eyestone (BYU)

The top-two men for BYU this fall, Creed Thompson and Joey Nokes, weren't All-Americans this season and yet, the Cougars still delivered on 3rd place expectations at the NCAA XC Championships. They did that with James Corrigan and Kenneth Rooks emerging as individual All-Americans even though they weren't top-50 talents throughout most of this fall. And with two top-tier scorers in Casey Clinger and Davin Thompson out for the season, you could argue that Coach Ed Eyestone is a favorite to win this award after making the best of a very tough situation.

Chris Bucknam (Arkansas)

There were a lot of things that needed to go right in order for the Arkansas men to land on the podium at the national meet like they did. They first needed to land a star from the transfer portal and they did that by signing Kirami Yego. They also needed someone to have a breakout season which is exactly what happened with Ben Shearer. They also needed their support scorers, in this case Myles Richter and Jacob McLeod, to have their best days on the national stage. And if you had told me that Lexington Hilton wasn't going to be a scorer at the national meet at the beginning of the season, then I wouldn't have believed that Coach Chris Bucknam put this team on the podium.

Jeremy Sudbury (Iowa State)

The Iowa State men had a solid season, but leading up to the national meet, they were largely an unexciting team. For the most part, Said Mechaal was the only guy who gave this team any firepower. So when the Cyclones placed 5th at the national meet, putting four men in the top-55 and having two All-Americans, neither of which was Mechaal, I was blown away. Relative to expectations, no team peaked better for the postseason than Jeremy Sudbury's group.

Greg Metcalf (Texas)

Prior to the summer months, the Texas men had a top-heavy cross country group with tons of firepower. However, they lacked depth and some of their low-sticks were inconsistent at times. But by adding Devin Hart in the offseason, who went from being a bit inconsistent to a true star, the Longhorns were consistently excellent this year. Coach Greg Metcalf perfectly developed and balanced the talent on this roster which led to Texas earning a 7th place finish on the national stage.

Jason Vigilante (Princeton)

The Princeton men were flat-out solid this year. This team was always viewed as a nationally competitive group, but nearly every aspect of their lineup this fall was better than expected or improved in some way. The Tigers found a true low-stick in Nicholas Bendtsen, they had an underrated secondary scorer in Connor Nisbet, they had an interchangeable lineup with plenty of depth and they exceeded their TSR #24 preseason ranking with an 11th place finish on the national stage. In our eyes, this was some of Coach Jason Vigilante's finest work yet.

Darren Gauson (New Mexico)

Walking into a New Mexico program that was once headlined by a still-active legendary coach like Joe Franklin comes with heavy expectations, maybe unfairly so. But Coach Darren Gauson didn't waste any time taking advantage of the improved resources that the Lobo men had recently been equipped with. By adding Evans Kiplagat and Lukas Kiprop while retaining the commitment of Habtom Samuel Keleta, the New Mexico men thrived under Coach Darren Gauson this fall.

Lyle Weese (Montana State)

Last year, the Montana State men made it to the cross country national meet. However, after losing Duncan Hamilton and Cooper West, no one would have blamed the Bobcats if they missed out on qualifying for the national meet this fall. And after a not-so-great 9th place effort at Joe Piane, it was hard to envision this team advancing to the 2023 NCAA XC Championships. But not only did Montana State extend their season one week, they finished 13th on the national stage! I don't know how Lyle Weese did it, but he may have a legitimate argument to win this award.

*Considers performances throughout the entirety of the 2023 cross country season. Success relative to seasonal expectations or success relative to historical accolades of the program are factored into account when listing nominees. Performances past 11/18 are not considered.

Nominees: Laurie Henes (NC State), Dave Smith (Oklahoma State), Mike Smith (Northern Arizona), Will Palmer (Florida), Sean Carlson (Tennessee), Nick Stenuf (Alabama), Kyle Kepler (Utah), Nick Polk (Lipscomb), Pete Watson (Boston College)

Laurie Henes (NC State)

All odds were against the Wolfpack women at the national cross country meet after it came out that veteran Kelsey Chmiel wouldn’t be racing. It also didn't help that Amaris Tyynismaa had yet to finish a race that season, Sam Bush had struggled a bit and Katelyn Tuohy was ill. But thanks to a whole team effort, Coach Laurie Henes’ women pulled off a one-point victory over NAU and once again stood atop the podium in one of the most incredibly resilient performances of all-time.

Mike Smith (Northern Arizona)

Going into this fall, Coach Mike Smith had a core group of experienced veterans returning from the 2022 cross country, but he was also graced with three transfers from New Mexico and one from San Francisco. Between Elise Stearns, Annika Reiss and Gracelyn Larkin, the Northern Arizona women had more than enough firepower. They flexed their strength at Nuttycombe by easily defeating pre-race favorite, NC State, by 43 points. Eventually, that varsity lineup yielded three All-Americans in Virginia and were oh-so-close to pulling off an undefeated season. However, they came up one point shy, finishing 2nd to NC State at the cross country national meet. And yet, despite the loss, you could potentially make the argument that the Lumberjacks had the better team throughout the entirety of the fall months.

Dave Smith (Oklahoma State)

Coach Dave Smith had a plan this year to not race his women too often and that paid off for the Cowgirls as they placed 3rd at the NCAA XC Championships. That was a much better performance than we expected after they had fallen to BYU by four points at the BIG 12 XC Championships. And despite not having Natalie Cook or Gabby Hentemann this fall, Oklahoma State still had three individual All-Americans and finished higher on the podium than they did last year.

Will Palmer (Florida)

During the summer, Coach Will Palmer brought in four transfers, three of which were established All-Americans. Those star-caliber introductions suddenly elevated the Gators from being non-factors to being one of the best teams in the country. At the Nuttycombe Invite, Valby won the individual title, Asekol placed 16th and Thorner and Wilson snagged top-40 finishes for a 5th place team finish. Things only got better for Florida when they added Amelia Mazza-Downie. As a result, Coach Will Palmer’s squad won the program’s first SEC XC Championship title since 2012. On the national stage, Valby (1st) and Asekol (6th) fueled the Gators to the team’s 5th place finish, only 31 points away from the podium. Needless to say, the "Florida Project" was plenty successful in Coach Will Palmer’s first cross country season in Gainesville.

Sean Carlson (Tennessee)

In only his second year at the helm of Tennessee's cross country program, Coach Sean Carlson led his women to a stunning 6th place finish at the NCAA XC Championships. The Lady Vols were an extremely young team, fielding four underclassmen in their varsity lineup, but that didn’t faze them during the postseason. Tennessee’s 3rd place finish at the SEC XC Championships and overall win at the South Regional XC Championships is what initially caught our eye. But even then, we couldn't have predicted that this Cinderella Story would conclude with the Vols going from unranked in the preseason to be a near podium threat in November.

Nick Stenuf (Alabama)

In his first cross country season as the head coach of the women’s cross country team at Alabama, Coach Nick Stenuf had two All-American honorees as well as a women's team that finished 7th at the NCAA XC Championships. The Crimson Tide were expected to be in a rebuilding year following the departure and graduation of many top names from last fall, but this squad largely held their own. Front-runner Doris Lemngole was stellar all season long, Hilda Olemomoi was a reliable low-stick for Alabama and transfer Joy Gill provided some extra firepower, too. Depth may still be in the works for Alabama, but what Coach Nick Stenuf has right now is working beautifully.

Kyle Kepler (Utah)

The Utah women were not expected to be a highly competitive team this season due to the departure of numerous women from their top-seven. However, Coach Kyle Kepler’s 2023 squad exceeded all expectations. It all started for the Utes at the Griak Invite when they finished one point behind California Baptist in 2nd place. The women faltered a bit at Nuttycombe when they finished 15th place on a sloppy day in Wisconsin, but in the final race of their season, the Utes finished in 13th place at the NCAA XC Championships. They also left Virginia with two All-Americans in Mckaylie Caesar (26th) and Annastasia Peters (33rd), the latter of whom was only a freshman.

Nick Polk (Lipscomb)

If you would’ve told us that the Lipscomb women would finish amongst the top-half of the field at the NCAA XC Championships prior to the start of this cross country season, then we would’ve thought you were crazy. But as it turns out, we were the crazy ones as Coach Nick Polk’s group finished 11th at the “Big Dance.” In an extremely deep field at Nuttycombe, Lipscomb impressed with a huge 10th place finish, beating historically top-ranked teams such as Utah, Wisconsin, Washington and Colorado. Their early-season success still earned them a chance to compete in Virginia and boy did they bounce back big time. A 43-second top-five time spread and one All-American finish gave the Bison and Coach Nick Polk a remarkable end to their season.

Pete Watson (Boston College)

We weren’t paying much attention to the Boston College women over the course of the fall, but then, out of nowhere, Coach Pete Watson’s women earned an automatic bid to the NCAA XC Championships. At the Northeast Regional XC Championships, the Golden Eagles had a top-five split of 36 seconds en route to their 2nd place showing. At the national meet, the Golden Eagles may have only finished in 26th place, but for a team that was 16th at their regional meet in 2022, that was still an incredible turnaround.

*Must have run attached this season. Performances past 11/18 are not considered. Voters can choose to vote for the best distance runner or the most valuable distance runner this season.

Nominees: Graham Blanks (Harvard), Habtom Samuel Keleta (New Mexico), Ky Robinson (Stanford), Drew Bosley (Northern Arizona), Nico Young (Northern Arizona), Denis Kipngetich (Oklahoma State), Brian Musau (Oklahoma State), Parker Wolfe (North Carolina), Patrick Kiprop (Arkansas)

Graham Blanks (Harvard)

Graham Blanks has simply been a cut above the rest this season, combining his fitness and tactical know-how to dominate every field that he has toed the line for. The Crimson ace has gone five-for-five this season, including a commanding win at Nuttycombe and a monumental victory at the NCAA XC Championships. Blanks will forever be etched in the history books as the first-ever male Ivy League victor at the national meet, the perfect accolade to cap off an undefeated season.

Habtom Samuel Keleta (New Mexico)

Habtom Samuel Keleta entered this season with one of the most stellar freshman resumes that we had ever seen. And after his fall campaign, we can see exactly why that is the case! The New Mexico newcomer never fell outside of the top-three this entire season, only losing to Graham Blanks (twice) and Nico Young. Keleta rounded out his rookie season with a conference title, a regional title and an NCAA silver medal. Not bad for your first year!

Ky Robinson (Stanford)

Stanford’s Ky Robinson has shown yet again why he is one of the most talented runners in the nation as he boasted remarkable consistency this fall. The Cardinal ace competed five times this season, earning top-five finishes in all of them and top-three finishes in four of them. Robinson flexed his experience by capturing a PAC-12 cross country title, an accolade that he would later pair with an NCAA bronze medal. He was also instrumental in helping guide a young Stanford contingent to a top-10 finish on the national stage.

Drew Bosley (Northern Arizona)

While it may not have been the storybook ending that Drew Bosley had hoped for, the Northern Arizona senior still closed out his NCAA cross country career with an impressive season, highlighted by a victory at the Virginia Invite and an All-American 5th place honor at the “Big Dance”. Not afraid to dictate the pace, Bosley found himself leading every race that he toed the line for and he was rewarded for his efforts with top-eight finishes in all of them. Bosley was also an integral part of the Lumberjacks' success this fall as he provided a valuable 1-2 punch alongside Nico Young.

Nico Young (Northern Arizona)

Northern Arizona star Nico Young has always been a pivotal part of the team's success and this year was no different. Despite beginning his season late, Young made a splash by securing a 2nd place finish behind eventual national champion, Graham Blanks, at the Nuttycombe Invite. Young was able to maintain top-two finishes leading up to the NCAA XC Championships before he experienced his only hiccup of the season (if you can even call it that), fading to 6th place in Charlottesville. While that may not have been his desired finish, Young was still the second Lumberjack across the line and was key in helping them secure a 2nd place finish.

Denis Kipngetich (Oklahoma State)

Denis Kipngetich burst onto the scene this season with a fantastic victory at the Cowboy Jamboree. The Oklahoma State newcomer's early-season victory was not only a flex of fitness, but a sign of things to come. Kipngetich only had one hiccup all season and that came in the form of a 14th place finish at the BIG 12 XC Championships. Of course, that didn’t seem to phase him as he went on to win the Midwest regional meet and place 4th at an NCAA XC Championships, a finish that would help guide the Cowboys to their first national title since 2012.

Brian Musau (Oklahoma State)

Brian Musau was remarkably consistent this fall despite his inexperience in the NCAA. The Oklahoma State star featured in the top-two all the way until the NCAA XC Championships. He most notably made a name for himself with a superb win over fellow teammate Alex Maier at the BIG 12 XC Championships. At the “Big Dance,” Musau wasn’t afraid to push the pace alongside teammate Denis Kipngetich and his efforts were rewarded with an 8th place All-American honor. Not only that, but his firepower was crucial to the Cowboys' success at the national meet.

Parker Wolfe (North Carolina)

North Carolina's Parker Wolfe showed up week after week, registering six top-10 finishes over the course of the fall months. Wolfe’s season was highlighted by a commanding victory over a highly competitive field at the ACC XC Championships. He then carried that momentum to the national meet where he mirrored his effort from the previous fall by placing 9th yet again. His efforts were instrumental in guiding the Tar Heels to a 6th place finish on the national stage, their highest team result since 1985.

Patrick Kiprop (Arkansas)

Patrick Kiprop of Arkansas has come on leaps and bounds this fall when it comes to tactical awareness and that has reflected greatly within his racing. After a relatively slow start to the season, the Razorback junior began to pick up pace, earning a silver medal at the hotly-contested SEC XC Championships. But for as good as that run was, I don’t think anyone was expecting him to be as spectacular as he was at the national meet. A 7th place finish in Charlottesville sealed the deal on what has been a seriously impressive season for the Razorback star.

**Must have run attached this season. Performances past 11/18 are not considered. Voters can choose to vote for the best distance runner or the most valuable distance runner this season.

Nominees: Parker Valby (Florida), Doris Lemngole (Alabama), Katelyn Tuohy (NC State), Hilda Olemomoi (Alabama), Billah Jepkirui (Oklahoma State), Olivia Markezich (Notre Dame), Chloe Scrimgeour (Georgetown), Amina Maatoug (Duke), Elise Stearns (Northern Arizona)

Parker Valby (Florida)

Four races. Four wins. Three-straight wins over Doris Lemngole. Two wins over Katelyn Tuohy. A new course record at Nuttycombe. A new course record on the national stage (Panorama Farms). A national title and arguably the hardest overall schedule of anyone. What more could you have possibly asked of Parker Valby?

Doris Lemngole (Alabama)

After Parker Valby, Doris Lemngole likely had the best resume of anyone in the NCAA. The Alabama rookie dominated a very good Joe Piane field with ease and at least kept things honest against Valby whom she had to face three times. Despite her lack of collegiate experience, this Crimson Tide star was outstanding this fall.

Katelyn Tuohy (NC State)

Sure, Katelyn Tuohy wasn't at her best this fall, but a runner-up finish at Nuttycombe, alongside an ACC title and a Southeast regional title, demands major respect. And to finish 5th overall at the NCAA XC Championships with an illness only boosts her resume even further.

Hilda Olemomoi (Alabama)

Despite battling an illness at Joe Piane, Hilda Olemomoi still held on for an 8th place finish. That was obviously a fluke resume (and impressive all things considered) as the Alabama sophomore went on to win the Crimson Classic, finish 3rd at both the conference and regional level and then cap her season with a 4th place effort at the national meet. For someone who was already elite last fall, Olemomoi may have gotten even better in 2023.

 Billah Jepkirui (Oklahoma State)

One of the most underrated cross country resumes of anyone this fall was what Billah Jepkirui produced. A win at the Cowboy Jamboree was later complemented by a runner-up effort at the top-heavy BIG 12 XC Championships and a Midwest regional title. And with a huge 7th place national meet finish concluding her season, Jepkirui delivered on all of the elite raw potential that she had clearly hinted at over the last year.

Olivia Markezich (Notre Dame)

Compared to last year, you could argue that Olivia Markezich wasn't quite as strong this fall compared to the entirety of the 2022 cross country season. Even so, the Notre Dame star was a consistently excellent low-stick who peaked on the national stage (3rd) better than any of these other women did relative to expectations...with the possible exception of Billah Jepkirui.

Chloe Scrimgeour (Georgetown)

Sure, Chloe Scrimgeour wasn't the best distance runner in the NCAA this fall, but what she meant to her team and her ability to enter the highest tier of stars (depending on how you segment them) is what makes her a candidate for this award. Well, that and top-10 finishes in the three most competitive meets of the season (Virginia Invite, Nuttycombe and the NCAA XC Championships).

Amina Maatoug (Duke)

It's hard to dislike what Amina Maatoug did this fall. Thriving in larger, highly-competitive stages and upsetting women like Markezich and Chmiel prior to the national meet was so impressive. A top-10 finish on the national stage paired with the value that she brings on the track may make her one of the most valuable distance runners across all three seasons of competition.

Elise Stearns (Northern Arizona)

Yes, Elise Stearns may have faded to 20th place on the national stage, but that was clearly not indicative of her actual talent. The Northern Arizona star won the Virginia Invite and was 4th at Nuttycombe while leading the top-ranked team in the country at the time. For someone who was already a reliable star in the fall of 2022, you could argue that she may have been even better throughout most of this fall campaign compared to last year.

Men

Maura Beattie: Habtom Samuel Keleta (New Mexico)

Finn Birnie: Habtom Samuel Keleta (New Mexico)

Ben Weisel: Habtom Samuel Keleta (New Mexico)

Garrett Zatlin: Habtom Samuel Keleta (New Mexico)

Women

Maura Beattie: Doris Lemngole (Alabama)

Finn Birnie: Doris Lemngole (Alabama)

Ben Weisel: Doris Lemngole (Alabama)

Garrett Zatlin: Doris Lemngole (Alabama)

Men

Maura Beattie: Jason Bowers (East Tennessee State)

Finn Birnie: Chris Devaney (Loyola (Ill.))

Ben Weisel: Jason Bowers (East Tennessee State)

Garrett Zatlin: Ben Shearer (Arkansas)

Women

Maura Beattie: Mckaylie Caesar (Utah)

Finn Birnie: Rosina Machu (Gonzaga)

Ben Weisel: Rosina Machu (Gonzaga)

Garrett Zatlin: Rosina Machu (Gonzaga)

Men

Maura Beattie: Graham Blanks wins Nuttycombe Invite

Finn Birnie: Graham Blanks wins NCAA XC Championships

Ben Weisel: Graham Blanks wins Nuttycombe Invite

Garrett Zatlin: Graham Blanks wins NCAA XC Championships

*Tie broken via TSR contributor, Donny Speas

Women

Maura Beattie: Parker Valby wins NCAA XC Championships

Finn Birnie: Parker Valby wins Nuttycombe Invite

Ben Weisel: Parker Valby wins Nuttycombe Invite

Garrett Zatlin: Parker Valby wins Nuttycombe Invite

Men

Maura Beattie: Dave Smith (Oklahoma State)

Finn Birnie: Dave Smith (Oklahoma State)

Ben Weisel: Dave Smith (Oklahoma State)

Garrett Zatlin: Dave Smith (Oklahoma State)

Women

Maura Beattie: Nick Polk (Lipscomb)

Finn Birnie: Laurie Henes (NC State)

Ben Weisel: Mike Smith (Northern Arizona)

Garrett Zatlin: Laurie Henes (NC State)

Men

Maura Beattie: Graham Blanks (Harvard)

Finn Birnie: Graham Blanks (Harvard)

Ben Weisel: Graham Blanks (Harvard)

Garrett Zatlin: Graham Blanks (Harvard)

Women

Maura Beattie: Parker Valby (Florida)

Finn Birnie: Parker Valby (Florida)

Ben Weisel: Parker Valby (Florida)

Garrett Zatlin: Parker Valby (Florida)