Upcoming Event: Cross Country versus Beehive Invitational on September 12, 2025 at W: 10:00 AM / M: 10:45 AM
W: 10:00 AM / M: 10:45 AM
Cross Country
vs Beehive Invitational
Friday, September 27
Verona, Wisc.
11:20 AM
University of Utah
vs
Nuttycombe Invitational
Photo Credit: Taylor Wolfram
Women of Utah Take Second at Nuttycombe Invitational, Wins "B" Race
9/27/2024 1:09 PM | Cross Country
The 14th-ranked Utah cross country team took second in the championship race after winning the “B” race at this year’s Nuttycombe Invitational.
VERONA, Wisc. – The No. 14 Utah cross country team had a great showing in its first big race of the year, taking second in the championship race after securing the team victory in the "B" race on Friday at the Nuttycombe Invitational.
"Incredibly proud of both race groups today," head coach Kyle Kepler said postrace. "Everyone showed toughness and togetherness. We ran two outstanding team races. Obviously, we had some standout performances. We also had a few gals who ran tough through an 'off' day. That's what it's about. You're not going to feel perfect going into every race. When you do, you take advantage of it like Erin and Sona. When you don't, you battle through it for your teammates."
The Utes started out in fourth at the first 2k marker in the championship race led by McKaylie Caesar – 1-of-2 returning All-Americans for the Women of Utah. Anna Peters, the other returning All-American for the Utes, was right behind Caesar followed by Erin Vringer, Morgan Jensen and Katarzyna Nowakowska.
As a team, Utah managed to move up two spots to second after the dust settled at the 4k check point as Vringer slowly made her move into 17th after passing six other racers to lead the Utes. Caesar was right on her tails in 18th at the 4000m position followed by Nowakowska, who jumped 27 spots to get within the top-30 heading into the final stretch. Jensen also saw herself move up eight spots.
The final push at the end saw Vringer, who competed in her first cross country race since 2022 after redshirting last season, surpass her previous PR in the 6k with a time of 20:14.2 to take sixth-overall as Utah's top finisher. Caesar would record a top-25 finish after crossing the line at 20:34.7 for 21st with Nowakowska not too far behind in 25th with a mark of 20:38.1.
"I just focused on enjoying the moment, the team and being healthy," said Vringer after the race. "I was so exited to get back on the course and run with the amazing team we have. Great things are coming for us this season!"
Jensen moved up another four spots in the final 2k to finish 33rd overall as Utah's fourth scorer and recorded a 20:45.1 mark. Peters was Utah's fifth and final scorer of the race, finishing 54th-overall with a time of 21:01.0.
Freshman Marika Couture placed 74th-overall in her first collegiate race and clocked in at 21:13.6 after passing 10 other runners in the final 2k. Like Vringer, Lindsey Peters also competed in her first race since 2022 after redshirting last season and recorded a time of 21:15.0 for 77th behind a late surge. Grad transfer Emily Chaston rounded things out for the Women of Utah, crossing the finish line at 21:31.1.
"B" Race
Utah's group that opened up the day in the "B" Race set the tone as the five captured the team title with 40 points behind a third-place finish from newcomer Sona Kourilova. The victory marked Utah's first team win in any race since sweeping the podium at the Griak Invitational back in 2022.
The Utes were in second through the first 2000m of the race and had a tight spread of just 11 between them. By the time the 4k marker came around, Kourilova had jumped 14 spots to move into eighth-overall while Grace Moroney passed nine other runners to sit in 12th. Freshman Lauren Ayers also had a double-digit jump, going from 29th to 19th at the 4k mark while Bri Rinn moved up nine spots to sit at 23rd.
As the racers headed down the final stretch, Kourilova made her move towards the front before ultimately finishing third-overall to pace the Utes with a time of 21:24.8. Ayers got a little push in the end there and moved up five spots to finish 14th-overall (21:43.6) in her first collegiate race. Rinn was Utah's third finisher in the "B" Race, jumping seven spots to take 16th (21:44.4).
Moroney (21:49.3) and Hartnett (21:50.2) rounded out the race for Utah, finishing right behind one another in 18th and 19th, respectively.
UP NEXT
The Women of Utah will get a couple weeks to rest and get back to training before heading to the Pacific Northwest for the Dellinger Invitational on Friday, Oct. 11, hosted by Oregon on the Pine Ridge Golf Course. The Utes will also have a small contingency race locally at the Steve T. Reeder Invitational up in Logan hosted by Utah State that same day.
NUTTYCOMBE INVITATIONAL
Zimmer Championship Course • Verona, WI
2nd / 27 Teams • 139 Points
"B" Race
1st / 6 Teams • 40 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, on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram or stay connected with Utah360, the official mobile app of Utah Athletics through the App Store or Google Play.
"Incredibly proud of both race groups today," head coach Kyle Kepler said postrace. "Everyone showed toughness and togetherness. We ran two outstanding team races. Obviously, we had some standout performances. We also had a few gals who ran tough through an 'off' day. That's what it's about. You're not going to feel perfect going into every race. When you do, you take advantage of it like Erin and Sona. When you don't, you battle through it for your teammates."
The Utes started out in fourth at the first 2k marker in the championship race led by McKaylie Caesar – 1-of-2 returning All-Americans for the Women of Utah. Anna Peters, the other returning All-American for the Utes, was right behind Caesar followed by Erin Vringer, Morgan Jensen and Katarzyna Nowakowska.
As a team, Utah managed to move up two spots to second after the dust settled at the 4k check point as Vringer slowly made her move into 17th after passing six other racers to lead the Utes. Caesar was right on her tails in 18th at the 4000m position followed by Nowakowska, who jumped 27 spots to get within the top-30 heading into the final stretch. Jensen also saw herself move up eight spots.
The final push at the end saw Vringer, who competed in her first cross country race since 2022 after redshirting last season, surpass her previous PR in the 6k with a time of 20:14.2 to take sixth-overall as Utah's top finisher. Caesar would record a top-25 finish after crossing the line at 20:34.7 for 21st with Nowakowska not too far behind in 25th with a mark of 20:38.1.
"I just focused on enjoying the moment, the team and being healthy," said Vringer after the race. "I was so exited to get back on the course and run with the amazing team we have. Great things are coming for us this season!"
Jensen moved up another four spots in the final 2k to finish 33rd overall as Utah's fourth scorer and recorded a 20:45.1 mark. Peters was Utah's fifth and final scorer of the race, finishing 54th-overall with a time of 21:01.0.
Freshman Marika Couture placed 74th-overall in her first collegiate race and clocked in at 21:13.6 after passing 10 other runners in the final 2k. Like Vringer, Lindsey Peters also competed in her first race since 2022 after redshirting last season and recorded a time of 21:15.0 for 77th behind a late surge. Grad transfer Emily Chaston rounded things out for the Women of Utah, crossing the finish line at 21:31.1.
"B" Race
Utah's group that opened up the day in the "B" Race set the tone as the five captured the team title with 40 points behind a third-place finish from newcomer Sona Kourilova. The victory marked Utah's first team win in any race since sweeping the podium at the Griak Invitational back in 2022.
The Utes were in second through the first 2000m of the race and had a tight spread of just 11 between them. By the time the 4k marker came around, Kourilova had jumped 14 spots to move into eighth-overall while Grace Moroney passed nine other runners to sit in 12th. Freshman Lauren Ayers also had a double-digit jump, going from 29th to 19th at the 4k mark while Bri Rinn moved up nine spots to sit at 23rd.
As the racers headed down the final stretch, Kourilova made her move towards the front before ultimately finishing third-overall to pace the Utes with a time of 21:24.8. Ayers got a little push in the end there and moved up five spots to finish 14th-overall (21:43.6) in her first collegiate race. Rinn was Utah's third finisher in the "B" Race, jumping seven spots to take 16th (21:44.4).
Moroney (21:49.3) and Hartnett (21:50.2) rounded out the race for Utah, finishing right behind one another in 18th and 19th, respectively.
UP NEXT
The Women of Utah will get a couple weeks to rest and get back to training before heading to the Pacific Northwest for the Dellinger Invitational on Friday, Oct. 11, hosted by Oregon on the Pine Ridge Golf Course. The Utes will also have a small contingency race locally at the Steve T. Reeder Invitational up in Logan hosted by Utah State that same day.
NUTTYCOMBE INVITATIONAL
Zimmer Championship Course • Verona, WI
2nd / 27 Teams • 139 Points
| FINISH | NAME | TIME |
| 6th | Erin Vringer | 20:14.2 |
| 21st | McKaylie Caesar | 20:34.7 |
| 25th | Katarzyna Nowakowska | 20:38.1 |
| 33rd | Morgan Jensen | 20:45.1 |
| 54th | Anna Peters | 21:01.0 |
| 74th | Marika Couture | 21:13.6 |
| 77th | Lindsey Peters | 21:15.0 |
| 107th | Emily Chaston | 21:31.1 |
"B" Race
1st / 6 Teams • 40 Points
| FINISH | NAME | TIME |
| 3rd | Sona Kourilova | 21:24.8 |
| 14th | Lauren Ayers | 21:43.6 |
| 16th | Bri Rinn | 21:44.4 |
| 18th | Grace Moroney | 21:49.3 |
| 19th | Kylie Hartnett | 21:50.2 |
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com, on social media by following on Facebook, X and Instagram or stay connected with Utah360, the official mobile app of Utah Athletics through the App Store or Google Play.
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