HOPKINTON, NH- For the last four years, Chloe Thomas has rewritten the UConn history books. Coming into the cross country season, she had put together one of the most decorated careers in the program's history. On Friday morning, she continued her historic 2024 season with something that no Husky has ever done before.
Thomas won the 2024 NCAA Northeast Regional in Hopkinton, crossing the finish line of the 6K race at 19:23, 8 seconds ahead of Columbia's Phoebe Anderson. Two weeks removed from taking home the BIG EAST Championship, the senior from Dundas, Ontario rewrote the history books yet again, cementing her legacy as the best distance runner to have ever put on a UConn uniform. Last season, she was in the mix at the Northeast Regional, taking home 7th, finishing behind a handful of runners that returned to the stage this morning. In 2024, no one was getting in her way on her quest to make history at the University of Connecticut and yet again return to the national stage.
The second half of UConn's dynamic duo, captain Jenna Zydanowicz, had a career day. The West Hartford, CT native finished 6th overall with a personal-best 19:53 in the 6K race. Zydanowicz qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in her collegiate career with her best friend, Thomas, who spoke at length about Zydanowicz's leadership earlier in the week. Thomas and Zydanowicz are the seventh and eighth runners in the program's history to individually qualify for the NCAA Championship field. This is the first time that two Huskies have individually qualified in the same season.
Caroline Towle continued her strong season as well, with her 20:22 time earning her 18th place in the region that earned her all-region honors. Rachael Woodruff had a PR, with a time of 21:14, finishing 59th. Malin Rahm finished in 21:24, good for 67th. Chloe Trudel finished in 80th at 21:32.26, and Madison Relyea crossed the line two spots behind at 21:32.53.
In a very competitive Northeast Region, the Huskies took home 5th as a team. BIG EAST foe Providence won the region to secure the first automatic qualifying bid, with Syracuse taking second as a team to also qualify for the NCAA Championships. Boston College and Harvard finished 3rd and 4th, respectively.
Quote from Director of Track & Field and Head Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan:
"The UConn Huskies showed up today in a tremendous race. Chloe Thomas continues an incredible season, running away with the Northeast Regional title, dominated the race from the 2K mark on. The field opened up and Jenna Zydanowicz had the race of her career, finishing 6th overall. Both Chloe and Jenna will proudly represent UConn next week at the NCAA Championships in Madison. The team competed with great heart, one of the most special teams that has come through the ranks in my coaching career. A team of amazing women that will continue to do great things beyond UConn.Caroline Towle ends a storied career with her second all-region performance, an integral part of the program. Senior Rachael Woodruff stepped in as our fourth runner for the team with a great performance as well. We're excited for next week in Wisconsin, and an incredible season for the whole squad."
Players Mentioned
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Players Mentioned
- Sophomore
- Senior
- Graduate Student
- Junior
- Graduate Student
- Graduate Student
Latest Women's Cross Country
- Cross Country Toes Line in Northeast RegionalsSTORRS, Conn.- After an excellent individual and team showing on November 1st at the BIG EAST Championships, UConn cross country will take their talents back to Hopkinton, New Hampshire for the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships Friday morning. The Huskies competed and won the Bruce Kirsh Cross Country Cup earlier this season in Hopkinton and are eager to replicate this success on Friday.
- Top Dog: Chloe Thomas Wins BIG EAST Championship, First in UConn HistoryLEESBURG, VA.- Chloe Thomas has been making history for UConn cross country all season long. It was only fitting that she rewrote the history books at least one more time on Friday morning at the BIG EAST Championships, becoming the BIG EAST Individual Champion in UConn history.
- Cross Country Hungry for History at BIG EAST ChampionshipsSTORRS, Conn.- As the calendar flips to November, UConn women's cross country will turn the page to championship season, as the Huskies race in the BIG EAST Championships in Leesburg, Virginia. The 6K race begins at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, November 1st, hosted by defending conference champion Georgetown University.
- Cross Country Competes In Pre-Nationals Invitational Saturday MorningMADISON, Wi.- UConn women's cross country competed in their last race before the BIG EAST Championships on Saturday morning at the Pre-Nationals Invitational hosted by the University of Wisconsin.
- Cross Country Races in Pre-Nationals Invitational in MadisonSTORRS, Conn.- UConn Cross Country will look to keep up the strong momentum from their last two races, as they head to Madison, Wisconsin for the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals on Saturday, October 19th at the Zimmer Championship Course.
- Women's Cross Country Wins Bruce Kirsh XC Cup Friday AfternoonHOPKINTON, N.H.- UConn Women's cross country took care of business at the 12th annual Bruce Kirsh Cross Country Cup on Friday afternoon, securing the top spot in team finish for the 6K race.
