HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Stetson cross country teams wrapped up their 2024 season on Friday in Huntsville, Alabama, competing in the NCAA South Regional Championships.
The women opened the day in the Championship 6K, taking on a field that included nationally ranked Florida and Alabama. Freshman Hannah Judge closed out her stellar debut season by breaking yet another school record — this time in the 6K — running 21:37 to place 114th overall. Freshmen Kendall Wampler (22:42, 165th) and Avery Sommers (22:49, 168th) followed, while sophomore Madi Kerr-Wong (23:06, 178th) and senior Deanna Bottino (23:09, 182nd) rounded out the Hatters' scoring five in Bottino's final collegiate cross country race. Graduate student Sofia Azzollini also competed, finishing 202nd in 24:53.
As a team, the Hatters defeated North Alabama and Georgia Southern and climbed four spots in the final regional rankings.
In the men's 10K — an increase from their usual 8K distance — senior Eduardo Diaz rose to the challenge in his final collegiate race, leading the Hatters with a time of 32:17 to finish 103rd. His performance ranks sixth all-time in program history. Redshirt sophomore Michael Petrovic (32:37, 119th) was next across, followed by junior Robbie Champa (32:49, 128th) and freshman Jonathan Pena (32:59, 133rd). Junior Seth Singer closed out the scoring in 33:15 (142nd). Redshirt sophomore Zeke Galbraith (33:22, 149th) and freshman Kenan Willard (34:22, 172nd) also competed.
The men's team finished 22nd overall, earning wins over Samford, East Tennessee State, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, and Jacksonville.
The race officially concludes the Hatters' cross country season as the teams now turn their focus toward the upcoming spring track campaign.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
