In an impressive display of determination and skill, the University of Louisville cross country teams concluded their season on a high note at the NCAA Southeast Regionals in Spartanburg, S.C. The women’s team showed significant improvement, placing ninth overall and surpassing their 22nd-place finish from last year. This marked the best finish for the Louisville women at the regional meet since 2017.
Leading the way for the Cardinals once again was Rylee Penn, who crossed the finish line with a time of 20:45.2 over the challenging 6K course. Although she narrowly missed out on All-Region honors, her consistent performance throughout the season has been commendable. Lexie Paszkiewicz also had a standout race, clocking a time of 21:05.6 to secure a 56th-place finish. This marked a significant improvement from her regional performance in 2022, as she finished over two minutes faster and nearly 100 spots higher.
Layla Roebke put in a strong effort as well, crossing the line in 64th place with a time of 21:12.4. The scoring five was completed by freshmen Maddie Seaby and Rhune Vanroose. Seaby finished in 81st place with a time of 21:25.5, while Vanroose recorded a time of 21:28.6 to secure 84th place and her first top-five team finish of the season. These freshmen have shown great potential and promise for the future of the team.
On the men’s side, Innocent Ntwali ended his freshman season with an impressive performance in his 10K debut. He finished in 71st place with a time of 30:47.8, leading the men to a 20th-place team finish. Ntwali’s strong showing is a testament to his dedication and skill as a young athlete.
Three other Cardinals, Jack Stansell, Forest MacKenzie, and Ethan Meyer, achieved personal bests in the 10K race. Stansell finished with a time of 31:26.7, MacKenzie clocked in at 31:46.7, and Meyer completed the race in 31:53.1. These impressive performances highlight the ongoing improvement and development of the Louisville men’s team.
Nicky Alexander, who has been consistently strong throughout the season, also made his 10K debut, finishing with a time of 32:07.8 as the fifth man for the team. His contribution has been crucial to the team’s success, and his debut in the longer race distance showcased his versatility and endurance.
With the cross country season now behind them, the Cardinals will shift their focus to the upcoming indoor track and field season. They will start their competition on December 2, participating in both the Commonwealth College Opener in Louisville and the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener in Boston, Mass. The team is excited to showcase their skills in a new setting and continue their pursuit of excellence.
To stay updated on Louisville Cross Country/Track & Field, fans can visit GoCards.com or follow the team on Instagram and Twitter at @louisvilletfxc. They can also connect with the team on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleTFXC.
