Tickets// CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati cross country athletes Alec Sandusky and Ellie Leather competed in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championship meet on Saturday, November 20. This marks the first time in UC history both the men's and women's teams have sent an athlete to compete in the National Championship Meet.
Ellie Leather made UC history as the first female cross-country athlete to participate in the NCAA Championship meet placing 109th in the Women's Championship 6k with a 20:33.7. This beat her previous 6k time at the same course earlier this year by 25 seconds.
Alec Sandusky placed 136th in the Men's Championship 10k with a time of 30:29.6. This was Sandusky's second NCAA Championship meet, as he ran in the 2020 championship placing 69th in 31:11.1. His performance today showed an improvement of 41.5 seconds from last year's championship.
// RACE RECAPS
The level of competition at this year's NCAA Championship meet was unlike any year before. Both Sandusky and Leather ran strong races against the toughest competition in the nation.
In the Men's Championship 10k, the entire pack went out at a fast pace. Sandusky ran the fasted opening 4k this year and then settled into a good pace in the middle pack. He was able to keep it up going into the end of the race and kicked it in the last 400m to earn his 136th spot in 30:29.6.
In the Women's Championship 6k, Ellie Leather ran a smart race, sticking to the front half of the pack for the start of the race and hanging onto her position throughout the 6k. Leather was able to drop 25 seconds from the last time she ran this course to finish in 109th in 20:33.7. Leather was also the first runner to finish in the American Conference.
// 2021 NCAA Division I National Championship
Saturday, November 20 2021 • Apalachee Regional Park • Tallahassee, FL
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up to the minute updates, race results, and more follow UC Track & Field/Cross Country (@GoBearcatsTFXC) on Twitter, Facebook (GoBearcatsTFXC) and Instagram (GoBearcatsTFXC) and join in the conversation by using the hashtag #Bearcats.
// RESULTS
Women's Championship 6k Race Results
109. Ellie Leather – 20:33.7
Men's Championship 10k Race Results
136. Alec Sandusky – 30:29.6
Ellie Leather made UC history as the first female cross-country athlete to participate in the NCAA Championship meet placing 109th in the Women's Championship 6k with a 20:33.7. This beat her previous 6k time at the same course earlier this year by 25 seconds.
Ellie Leather has crossed the National Championship finish line as the first UC Women's XC athlete in history‼️ pic.twitter.com/vsjBViPdBY
— Cincinnati TF & XC (@GoBearcatsTFXC) November 20, 2021
Alec Sandusky placed 136th in the Men's Championship 10k with a time of 30:29.6. This was Sandusky's second NCAA Championship meet, as he ran in the 2020 championship placing 69th in 31:11.1. His performance today showed an improvement of 41.5 seconds from last year's championship.
Alec Sandusky finishes out his Cincinnati XC career with a great race at NCAA Championships‼️ pic.twitter.com/GUFKPpq3KT
— Cincinnati TF & XC (@GoBearcatsTFXC) November 20, 2021
// RACE RECAPS
The level of competition at this year's NCAA Championship meet was unlike any year before. Both Sandusky and Leather ran strong races against the toughest competition in the nation.
In the Men's Championship 10k, the entire pack went out at a fast pace. Sandusky ran the fasted opening 4k this year and then settled into a good pace in the middle pack. He was able to keep it up going into the end of the race and kicked it in the last 400m to earn his 136th spot in 30:29.6.
In the Women's Championship 6k, Ellie Leather ran a smart race, sticking to the front half of the pack for the start of the race and hanging onto her position throughout the 6k. Leather was able to drop 25 seconds from the last time she ran this course to finish in 109th in 20:33.7. Leather was also the first runner to finish in the American Conference.
// 2021 NCAA Division I National Championship
Saturday, November 20 2021 • Apalachee Regional Park • Tallahassee, FL
// FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For up to the minute updates, race results, and more follow UC Track & Field/Cross Country (@GoBearcatsTFXC) on Twitter, Facebook (GoBearcatsTFXC) and Instagram (GoBearcatsTFXC) and join in the conversation by using the hashtag #Bearcats.
// RESULTS
Women's Championship 6k Race Results
109. Ellie Leather – 20:33.7
Men's Championship 10k Race Results
136. Alec Sandusky – 30:29.6