SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The East Stroudsburg University women's cross-country team concluded a historic season at the 2024 NCAA Championship in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday. This season, the team finished third at the PSAC Championship for the first time since 2016, tied the program's best finish at regionals by matching the 2003 and 1999 finishes, and competed at nationals for the first time since 1999.

Graduate student Daniella Napoli was the first Warrior to cross the finish line in 22:35.7. Sophomore Payton Falkenstein completed the course just under a minute later in 23:33.9. Sophomore Mia Sisilli finished in 23:54.3, followed by sophomore Carla Bautista (24:36.6), sophomore Gabriela Orama (24:45.8), and freshman Riley Trentowski (24:57.1), all finishing under 25 minutes. Junior Kelly Martin rounded out the Warriors' top seven with a time of 26:45.0.
Napoli, in her first and final season of cross-country at ESU, was a standout, finishing as the lead runner for the Warriors throughout the season. The rest of the top seven is made up of a junior, four sophomores, and a freshman. This young group will look to build on their successful season and make another push for the NCAA Championship meet next season.

A fun fact: Trentowski's time of 24:57.1 is the same time her mother, Katie Peterson, ran at the NCAA Championships 25 years ago for ESU when the team competed in Joplin, Mo.

Up next:
The Warriors runners will shift gears to the winter track season, with their first meet being the West Point Open on Jan. 11 in West Point, N.Y.

Results:
Daniella Napoli, 22:35.7
Payton Falkenstein, 23:33.9
Mia Sisilli, 23:54.3
Carla Bautista, 24:36.6
Gabriela Orama, 24:45.8
Riley Trentowski, 24:57.1
Kelly Martin, 26:45.0