by Deji Ogeyingbo
Blanks Repeats, BYU Shines in a Historic Championship
MADISON, WI – For all the anticipation and buildup to the 2024 NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships, there was no mistaking who would take the crown in the men’s race: Graham Blanks.
The senior from Harvard made his move up the final hill at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course, pulling away from the field and sealing a second consecutive title in 28:37.2. New Mexico’s Habtom Samuel, who ran the final 5k with one shoe and a bloodied foot, finished a gritty second in 28:38.9. The outcome, however, was far from a simple victory lap for Blanks.
“I was in a lot of pain,” Blanks admitted afterward. “Going into that last turn, I thought, ‘I might not have it,’ because these guys have such great kicks.” But Blanks, despite the discomfort, had enough left in the tank to hold off Samuel, who, in an extraordinary display of toughness, fought through his injuries to close the gap.
“I knew I wasn’t going to quit,” Samuel said, pointing to his bloodied foot as he crossed the line, his body clearly a testament to his determination.
It was a moment that underscored Blanks’s kind of year—a year that included him joining Gerry Lindgren, Steve Prefontaine, and Conner Mantz in an elite group of American cross-country runners to repeat as national champion.
But this race was more than just Blanks’ victory. This was the year of Ed Eyestone, and his BYU Cougars made sure to seize their moment, holding off a late surge from Iowa State to claim the NCAA team title for the second time in six years, with a score of 124 to 137.
Listen to Ed Eyestone, he gets it. #byuxc https://t.co/e14OLFDjdN
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) November 23, 2024
Eyestone’s team is part of a rare breed – one that has achieved greatness not only through exceptional athletes but through a clear, deliberate coaching philosophy. This victory marks the culmination of a remarkable 2024 season for Eyestone, who has watched his marathoners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young dominate, finishing 1-2 at the Olympic Trials and then securing top 10 finishes in the Olympics. His influence is unmistakable, and on this day, his athletes proved they could do it on the biggest stage, earning BYU their second-ever NCAA cross country championship.
The Cougars, led by standout performances from Casey Clinger (6th) and a clutch 12th-place finish from Creed Thompson, showed their depth and resilience, bouncing back from a tough early-season loss at the Big 12 Conference championships. “We’ve been so focused all year on getting this team to peak at the right moment,” Eyestone said, his pride evident. “It’s been a long, tough road, but today, we showed who we are.”
Two class acts, @NCAATrackField https://t.co/c0YnNSqDq4
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) November 23, 2024
Oklahoma State, the defending champions, had entered the meet as the favorites after a dominant performance in 2023. With four of the same runners from last year’s national championship, many expected the Cowboys to mount a strong challenge. However, the script didn’t play out that way. The Cowboys’ early strategy was curious, with their 5-6-7 runners pacing themselves too conservatively in the early stages. By the time they reached the 6k mark, they were nowhere near the podium, finishing a distant 8th with 256 points.
“We didn’t execute as we should have,” said Oklahoma State coach Dave Smith. “It’s frustrating because I know the potential of these athletes. But the race is run on the course, not in the pre-race meetings.”
While Oklahoma State’s lackluster performance was the biggest surprise of the day, Furman’s Dylan Schubert was the most pleasant one. Schubert, who finished 24th last year, made a massive leap to secure third place in 29:39.6. His finish was an indication to the program’s steady improvement over the years and the work of coach Robert Gary, who continues to elevate the Paladins to national prominence.
Indeed, the depth of American men’s cross country was on full display, with six of the top nine finishers hailing from U.S. programs. BYU’s Clinger, UNC’s Parker Wolfe (7th), Iowa State’s Ethan Strand (8th), and Villanova’s Liam Murphy (9th) rounded out the American dominance. It was an impressive performance from a group of men who, despite often flying under the radar, showed they belong at the top of the national stage.
As for Blanks, the question remains: What’s next? After taking down the NCAA cross country title again, Blanks now has his sights set on indoor track, where he’ll compete in the 5000 meters at the BU Opener in early December. “I’m just trying to get the qualifying time for indoors,” he said, but with his sights set firmly on the 2025 World Championships, Blanks’ next steps seem clear.
