Richmond, VA
The Women's Cross Country team as well as one individual men's runner competed at the NJCAA National Cross Country Championships in Richmond, Virginia at Pole Green Park.
Griffin Paugh competed as an individual men's athlete after earning first place in Region 20, finishing 167th in a field of 315 runners at the national competition. Paugh finished the 8K course, which included 4 loops of a fast and fairly flat layout, in a time of 28:46.9. Paugh finished his NJCAA career with multiple PRs and setting a course record at the Region 20 Championships in October of 2024.
On the women's side of competition, Addison Lease, Averi Everline, Baylee Jarrett, Phaedra Payne, Hannah Hardy, Leah McKenzie, and Morgan Niland represented the Catamounts on the national stage. In a field that included 317 runners and 41 teams, the Catamounts showcased the talent that Region 20 pocesses with pride, cruising on the fast course. Addison Lease led Potomac State the entire race, finishing the 5k course in 20:02.0 and placing 43rd overall. Her placement earned her the honor of NJCAA All-American, and cementing her place in Potomac State history as the first female to earn that honor for cross country at the Division II level. Since transitioning to NJCAA Division II, no female runner has placed higher than 62nd place at the national championship for Potomac State.
"I was super thrilled in Addison Lease's performance at Nationals," stated Head Coach Chris Biser. "Going into the race she was predicted to place 88th based on her times from the season. The night before the race, we sat down and discussed race strategy, when to push and when to put the brakes on. I told her..look your predicted 88th but I really feel you have a chance at All American. I told her to go out hard and hold pace for the front."
That early converstaion led to more coaching within the race itself from Biser. "Early in the race I was able to see she was 54th which would have been All American if all 354 athletes has toed the line, however only 317 had, and that she would have to adjust," said Biser. "When I mentioned she was only a few spots away she grinded herself forward even more. On her second loop I could tell she was starting to feel the pain, but was hanging. I caught up to Addy with 800 meters to go and I told her she needed to take off. She ran lights out to the finish line for a 43rd place. I was so excited for her and her accomplishment for the records she broke in program history!"
Averi Everline finished her NJCAA career finishing 2nd for the Catamounts with a time of 21:51.1 and placing 141st. The remaining Catamounts finished in quick succession, with every member of the team finishing between 20 and 25 minutes.
Biser spoke with pride, "I was thrilled to see our girls finish the season 21st after not being ranked in top 25 in the USTFCCCA national rankings. We felt jaded and that we were at least a top 25 team. I made a tough early season schedule of meets and workouts hoping to come into a flat and fast Richmond course. Almost all seven women hit PRs for the season and several others hit career milestones. At the halfway point of the race I was able to see projected team standings with many of the woman on the team closly packed together. At the finish, much of the same. Having the women finish in 21st place and having one of the best 1-5 spreads of all time. This ladies really wanted it and went after it!"