SALEM, Va. – The No. 12-ranked Washington and Lee University women's cross country team claimed the 2024 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championship title at Green Hill Park on Saturday morning, reclaiming the top spot after a three-year reign by the University of Lynchburg. This victory marks the Generals' 20th championship in program history and the first championship win since 2019.
Sophomore Olivia Warr led W&L with a standout performance, winning the individual title in 21:35.1, the first individual champion for W&L since Sara Stevenson's victory in 2019.
The Generals tallied 35 points, clearing the Hornets of Lynchburg by five. This year's championship marks the first time since 2012 that different schools have won the men's and women's team titles with the Hornets claiming the men's title with 18 points. From 2013 to 2014, Bridgewater College secured both titles, while Washington and Lee dominated from 2015 to 2019.
The entire W&L scoring seven placed inside of the top-14 finishers for All-ODAC honors with Warr, Sophia Breschi and Cassie Carr taking First Team All-ODAC laurels. Lydia Harvey, Mimi Kemp, Emma Mitchell and Kristen Clodgo were named Second Team All-ODAC.The seven All-ODAC honorees tied the program record, which was last achieved in 2019.
SCORING SEVEN (W&L)
COACH'S QUOTE
"We were hoping the race went out conservatively and it did, allowing us to settle in and just race over the last half. We had a couple people in the top group battling back from some illness earlier this week. Our athletes really stepped up. It was great for Olivia to take the individual title, and while everyone ran well, Lydia Harvey's effort was really big for us. We knew that sort of race was coming, and it all came together at the right time for her." – Head Coach Michael Dager
TEAM RESULTS
- 1. Washington and Lee – 35 points
- 2. Lynchburg – 40 points
- 3. Bridgewater (Va.) – 66 points
- 4. Shenandoah – 115 points
- 5. Eastern Mennonite – 167 points
COMPLETE W&L RESULTS
THE FIELD
- W&L placed first in the field 100 individuals from the league's 13 institutions.
- W&L finished with 35 points ahead of Lynchburg's 40 points.
- The Generals top-7 spread was 0:49 and averaged a time of 22:04, improving from 22:50 during the 2023 championship meet.
- To view the final results click here.
ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS
First Team All-ODAC / Athlete of the Meet - Olivia Warr
First Team All-ODAC - Sophia Breschi
First Team All-ODAC - Cassie Carr
Second Team All-ODAC - Lydia Harvey
Second Team All-ODAC - Mimi Kemp
Second Team All-ODAC - Emma Mitchell
Second Team All-ODAC - Kristen Clodgo
LOOKING AHEAD
The Generals will now set their sights on the NCAA South Region Championships, where they will look to build on this momentum and secure a spot in the NCAA Division III Championships.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
