Cheney, Wash- The Vandals kicked off the 2024 Cross Country season in style at the Clash of the Inland Northwest at Eastern Washington University. Both the women's and the men's squads placed top five, with the women matching their third-place finish from at this meet a year ago, and the men placed fifth. 

The women got things started, led by freshman Jesse Redding placing 7th with a time of 14:15.78 in the 4K. A second Vandal freshman placed in the top 20, with Malia Chipouras finishing with a time of 14:42.97 in 20th, followed by Alex Terry in 27th and Abigail Thomas in 29th, with times of 14:53.77 and 14:55.46, respectively. Junior, Andrea Cernuda rounded out the scorers for Idaho in 35th with a personal best time of 15:02.75.

The men's team began 2024 with a 5th place finish over 6K, with graduate student Sam Fullbright being the top Vandal finishing with a personal best time of 18:32.98 in 14th place. He was followed by Miles Ferguson in 21st at 18:45.109, another personal best. A gaggle of Vandals closed out the scoring in 32nd, 34th, and 36th, with freshman James Hodgson finishing in 18:58.438, senior Gage Zanette crossing the line in 18:58.81, and senior Shane Gard closing it out in 19:04.76. 

The Vandals continue their 2024 campaign in two weeks at the WSU Invitational in Colfax, WA, the site of the 2024 NCAA West Regionals.

Stay up to date with the Vandals by following Idaho Track and Field/Cross Country on X and Instagram @IdahoTrack.