Cross Country

Catholic Captures 2026 Landmark Women's Cross Country Championship

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Catholic University captured its third Landmark Conference women's cross country championship in four years on Saturday, October 31, placing five runners in the top 20 to finish with 38 points at the 2026 Landmark Conference Championships. The University of Scranton's Kyrianna Nemitz claimed individual honors, leading the Royals to a runner-up team finish.

The Cardinals' 38 points marked the lowest championship score in program history, surpassing their previous best of 41 points set in 2023. Catholic finished 32 points ahead of Scranton (70), while Elizabethtown College placed third with 74 points and Moravian University rounded out the top four with 82 points.

Nemitz crossed the finish line in a personal-best time of 21:39.1 to earn the individual championship. Catholic freshman Saffron Blume finished second in 21:50.6, earning individual runner-up honors and the Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year award. Blume was the fastest freshman in the field, giving Catholic its second consecutive Rookie of the Year honoree.

Catholic sophomore Olivia Sobkowicz finished fourth in 22:10.9, followed by teammate Laurel McMahon in fifth (22:19.2). Senior Alexa Grassi added a ninth-place finish in a personal-best 22:42.2, while sophomore Erin Roche rounded out Catholic's scoring five in 18th place with a personal-best time of 23:33.1.

Scranton was led by Nemitz's individual championship, while three additional Royals finished in the top 20. Rookie Aislinn Fennel placed 10th in a personal-best 22:49.0, Kaitlyn Stibritz finished 16th in a personal-best 23:26.4, and Anya Kelly placed 20th in 23:36.7.

Elizabethtown was led by Addison Kleinle, who finished seventh overall in 22:28.5, while Juniata College's Ella McCrum placed third in 21:54.1 to round out the individual top three.

The championship marked the first Landmark title for Catholic head coach J.T. Klopcic.