As the weather drops and the leaves begin to fall, it can only mean one thing:it’scross-country season.

This weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, the University of Virginia hosted theDivision 1 NCAACross CountryChampionships.

Coming into the race, all the talk was around last year’s winner,Katelyn Tuohy of North Carolina (NC) State, and last year’s runner-up,Parker Valby of the University of Florida. 

The two juniors had been battling it out all season, consistently placing first and second throughout the season, making them the undoubted favorites coming into the meet today.

Tuohy, thewinner of the previous two editions of the NCAACross Country Championships, was looking to continue her victory streak. Along with her NCAA Cross Country titles, she boaststhree other NCAA titles from both indoor and outdoor track.

The women’s race started out with a blazing pace, with Parker Valby leading a large group through the1k mark in 2:54.10.

Valby decided to go for it, making her move, and broke away from the group with a surge in pace. She came through the2k mark in 6:04.10, over eight seconds ahead of the chasing group, led by defending champion Tuohy, which came through in 6:12.90.

Valby was relentless and didn’t let up her pace, growing hergap out to over 18 seconds as she came through the3k mark in 9:14.90. Tuohy no longer led the chasing group, but Hilda Olemomoi of Alabama brought the group through 3k in 9:33.20.

Coming through the 4k mark, Valby was consistent with herpace, with no signs of letting up. The chasing group began to increase thepace, but Valby still managed toincrease her lead slightly to over 20 seconds.

Withone kilometer to go, Valby’s lead came down to 18 seconds, but with the finish getting ever closer, it seemed unlikely the chasers would make up the time.

Valby took her first NCAACross Country title, finishing the 6k course in 18:55.20.

Race favoriteTuohy would finish off the podium,placing fifth after crossing the line in19:23.00.

Completing the podium was standout freshmanDoris Lemngole of Alabama, placing second in19:05.70, and Notre Dame’s seniorOlivia Markezich, completing the course in19:10.0.

The team competition was a tight battle for the top spot betweenNC State andNorthern Arizona(NAU). However, NC State managed to hold off NAU by asingle point to take the win with 123 points.Oklahoma State rounded out the team podium with a cumulative score of 156.