Upcoming Event: Cross Country versus Gans Creek Classic on September 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
8:00 AM
Cross Country
vs Gans Creek Classic
Saturday, November 18
Earlysville, VA
8:20 AM
University of Utah
vs
NCAA Championships
Photo by: Logan Whitton Photography
All-American Efforts from Caesar and Peters Lead Women of Utah to 13th-Place Finish at NCAA Championships
11/18/2023 12:23 PM | Cross Country
Utah’s 13th-place finish was the second-best finish in program history at the NCAA Championships.
EARLYSVILLE, Va. – Led by a pair of All-American efforts from McKaylie Caesar and Anna Peters, the 14th-ranked Utah cross country team finished 13th-overall at the NCAA Championships on Saturday at Panorama Farms, the second-best finish ever in program history.
"We ran our best when it counted the most," head coach Kyle Kepler said after the race. "I couldn't be prouder of this group of women. Two All-Americans and a top American freshman will be the headline and it's well deserved. But, our other gals also ran great. Morgan moved up nearly 100 places throughout the race. Clara and Kasia were steady in their first ever Division I NCAA Championships meet. Kyla and Karli filled the rolls we needed them to today. This is such a close group of women. They keep each other happy, poised and positive. The environment they have created really played out well for them today. I also want to thank all of our support staff who played such a critical role with our team."
Caesar and Peters as usual led the way for the Women of Utah and anchored the team once again with a pair of top-40 finishes to earn All-America honors. It also marked the first time ever that Utah has had two runners earn All-America status at the NCAA Championships.
"Anna has helped me so much in every race and I couldn't have done this race without her," McKaylie noted. "Knowing we were running that race together and both had that ultimate goal was the most motivating thing to be able to do with my teammate right next to me. I couldn't be more proud of her and I am so happy for not only the both of us, but the team!"
The Utah duo of Caesar and Peters would climb the ladder and pass several other runners at every checkpoint on the course but it wasn't until the final kilometer did Caesar make her move to pass her teammate Peters to finish 26th-overall with a time of 19:56.7.
Her mark of 19:56.7 was just the fourth time in program history since the distance moved to 6k in 2000 that a Ute finished the championships race with a sub-20 time and joined an elite group of Utah runners that include Grayson Murphy (2017; 19:36.27), Emily Venters (2022; 19:54.1) and Amanda Mergaert (19:57.7). Biding her time, Caesar ran stride for stride with Peters throughout the race but kicked it into high gear in the final 2k to pass 16 runners – including 10 in the final 1k to post a 26th-place finish.
"Being my last collegiate cross country race, I really just used all my heart this race and wanted to give it everything I could for my team," said Caesar afterwards. "Knowing All-America was right there and I could get it with my teammate Anna helped so much to just keep pushing together and have the grit to endure through the hard pain. When that last K hit, it was just all about finishing as strong as I could and that's when the heart kicked fully in."
Peters got stuck behind early from the mad start but moved up 23 spots by the time she hit the 2k check point and settled in. The freshman continued to display poise throughout the race, continually passing other runners while also pushing Caesar along before passing four more competitors down the stretch to cross the finish line at 20:04.2 for 33rd-overall.
"The last 1-2k I told myself to stay mentally tough and take the race step-by-step," Peters said postrace. "I think I did a great job of making sure I took full advantage of the hills and push myself even when I thought that I had nothing left. This course is by no means easy, and having McKaylie close by to push me forward made a huge difference."
Morgan Jensen posted her best finish at the championships after placing 89th-overall with a time of 20:35.8. The Sandy native maneuvered her way through the crowd with urgency, going from 153rd at the 2k check point to 107th by the time she hit the 5k mark before passing another 18 runners in the final 1k to finish 89th.
Clara Mayfield also made a huge jump from the initial start but needed a little time to get going halfway through the race. The graduate transfer passed 41 runners in the final 3k of the race going from 203rd at the 3k check point to crossing the finish line at 21:07.8 for 162nd.
Katarzyna Nowakowska was the fifth and final scorer for Utah, finishing in 167th just behind Mayfield to help Utah secure 13th as a team. The freshman ran steady for the Utes and cut her split time in the final 1k by nearly 10 seconds to finish in 21:10.2.
Kyla Martin made a push midway through the race in her first NCAA Championships race and passed 15 people at the 4k mark before crossing the finishing line at 21:46.3. Karli Branch was right on her tails for most of the race but made up ground in the final 1k to post a time of a 21:46.6.
"I am so grateful to have a teammate there to push me forward little-by-little," said Peters about having Caesars right up front with her. "Having a teammate to run races with has made all the difference for me. I can't really fully describe it in words, but it provides a sense of comfort during the race that helps you race with confidence."
NCAA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Panorama Farms • Earlysville, VA
13th / 31 teams • 375 Points
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram.
"We ran our best when it counted the most," head coach Kyle Kepler said after the race. "I couldn't be prouder of this group of women. Two All-Americans and a top American freshman will be the headline and it's well deserved. But, our other gals also ran great. Morgan moved up nearly 100 places throughout the race. Clara and Kasia were steady in their first ever Division I NCAA Championships meet. Kyla and Karli filled the rolls we needed them to today. This is such a close group of women. They keep each other happy, poised and positive. The environment they have created really played out well for them today. I also want to thank all of our support staff who played such a critical role with our team."
Caesar and Peters as usual led the way for the Women of Utah and anchored the team once again with a pair of top-40 finishes to earn All-America honors. It also marked the first time ever that Utah has had two runners earn All-America status at the NCAA Championships.
"Anna has helped me so much in every race and I couldn't have done this race without her," McKaylie noted. "Knowing we were running that race together and both had that ultimate goal was the most motivating thing to be able to do with my teammate right next to me. I couldn't be more proud of her and I am so happy for not only the both of us, but the team!"
The Utah duo of Caesar and Peters would climb the ladder and pass several other runners at every checkpoint on the course but it wasn't until the final kilometer did Caesar make her move to pass her teammate Peters to finish 26th-overall with a time of 19:56.7.
Her mark of 19:56.7 was just the fourth time in program history since the distance moved to 6k in 2000 that a Ute finished the championships race with a sub-20 time and joined an elite group of Utah runners that include Grayson Murphy (2017; 19:36.27), Emily Venters (2022; 19:54.1) and Amanda Mergaert (19:57.7). Biding her time, Caesar ran stride for stride with Peters throughout the race but kicked it into high gear in the final 2k to pass 16 runners – including 10 in the final 1k to post a 26th-place finish.
"Being my last collegiate cross country race, I really just used all my heart this race and wanted to give it everything I could for my team," said Caesar afterwards. "Knowing All-America was right there and I could get it with my teammate Anna helped so much to just keep pushing together and have the grit to endure through the hard pain. When that last K hit, it was just all about finishing as strong as I could and that's when the heart kicked fully in."
Peters got stuck behind early from the mad start but moved up 23 spots by the time she hit the 2k check point and settled in. The freshman continued to display poise throughout the race, continually passing other runners while also pushing Caesar along before passing four more competitors down the stretch to cross the finish line at 20:04.2 for 33rd-overall.
"The last 1-2k I told myself to stay mentally tough and take the race step-by-step," Peters said postrace. "I think I did a great job of making sure I took full advantage of the hills and push myself even when I thought that I had nothing left. This course is by no means easy, and having McKaylie close by to push me forward made a huge difference."
Morgan Jensen posted her best finish at the championships after placing 89th-overall with a time of 20:35.8. The Sandy native maneuvered her way through the crowd with urgency, going from 153rd at the 2k check point to 107th by the time she hit the 5k mark before passing another 18 runners in the final 1k to finish 89th.
Clara Mayfield also made a huge jump from the initial start but needed a little time to get going halfway through the race. The graduate transfer passed 41 runners in the final 3k of the race going from 203rd at the 3k check point to crossing the finish line at 21:07.8 for 162nd.
Katarzyna Nowakowska was the fifth and final scorer for Utah, finishing in 167th just behind Mayfield to help Utah secure 13th as a team. The freshman ran steady for the Utes and cut her split time in the final 1k by nearly 10 seconds to finish in 21:10.2.
Kyla Martin made a push midway through the race in her first NCAA Championships race and passed 15 people at the 4k mark before crossing the finishing line at 21:46.3. Karli Branch was right on her tails for most of the race but made up ground in the final 1k to post a time of a 21:46.6.
"I am so grateful to have a teammate there to push me forward little-by-little," said Peters about having Caesars right up front with her. "Having a teammate to run races with has made all the difference for me. I can't really fully describe it in words, but it provides a sense of comfort during the race that helps you race with confidence."
NCAA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Panorama Farms • Earlysville, VA
13th / 31 teams • 375 Points
| FINISH | NAME | TIME |
| 26th | McKaylie Caesar | 19:56.7 |
| 33rd | Anna Peters | 20:04.2 |
| 89th | Morgan Jensen | 20:35.8 |
| 162nd | Clara Mayfield | 21:07.8 |
| 167th | Katarzyna Nowakowska | 21:10.2 |
| 219th | Kyla Martin | 21:46.3 |
| 220th | Karli Branch | 21:46.6 |
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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