After winning the last five Coastal Athletic Association Championships, the Elon University women’s cross country team has ended the streak, finishing third overall at the 2024 CAA Championship on Nov. 1. The men’s team improved from its sixth place finish last year, finishing fifth.
The men’s 8k and women’s 6k races took place at the Elon Cross Country Course.
Graduate student Mikayla Jones led the Phoenix with an individual placing of fifth, clocking a time of 20:52.40. Graduate student Madison Synowiec matched her finish from last year’s conference championship, placing 16th. Jones, sophomore Hannah Webers and sophomore Abby Beville all finished in the top 15 and were named All-CAA.
The ending of the women’s streak comes amid the first season of head coach Mark Rinker after former coach Kevin Jermyn left for Duke University. Jones said the team wasn’t focused on continuing the streak, but rather performing as a team.
“It was about everyone running as a team and just from the beginning, following the plan and doing the best that we could, and putting everything out there,” Jones said.
The Elon women's cross country team during the 2024 CAA Championship on Nov. 1 at the Elon Cross Country Course.
Jones said she was happy with her performance and focused on running for her teammates.
Jones — who transferred to Elon after graduating from Catawba College — praised the team’s culture.
“I’ve never had a culture like this in a team before where everyone’s just so excited for each to do well,” Jones said. “Placement doesn’t really matter on this team, it’s all about everyone working for each other. Every single day it’s always positive words, positive thoughts, a positive mindset coming in, and that’s just so big in running because that’s all you have — your mental thoughts.”
Redshirt sophomore Evan Taylor spearheaded the men’s team, finishing 13th with a time of 25:18.10. Taylor received All-CAA honors for the first time in his career.
Taylor said he was happy with his performance.
“I kind of came in a little banged up, so I wasn’t really sure what kind of spot I was going to be in now, and to be able to be All-Conference and do that for the team was really, really special at home,” Taylor said.
The Elon University women's cross country team poses for a picture after placing third at the CAA Championship.
Taylor said making those final pushes at the end of the race is all about focusing on each step.
“We go in with a bit of a game plan,” Taylor said. “Coach tells us to get out there, get in a good position and then try to push yourself toward the end. So, I just tried to be in a good spot and then when I came through with about 3k to go, I was just thinking, ‘Focus on every single step, make sure every step is pushing yourself forward.’ Everytime you pass another guy gives you a little more confidence.”
Elon competes next at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships on Nov. 15 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
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Kathan Gandhi contributed to the reporting of this story.