NEWS | Complete USTFCCCA release
 
New Orleans, La.----The Wingate University men's cross country and men's track and field teams earned another huge accolade this month, as the Bulldogs finished fourth in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Program of the Year standings. Wingate matches its program-best finish, as the South Atlantic Conference members took fourth-place in 2024.
 
The USTFCCCA Program of the Year award is based on the national finishes of the men's cross country team and the men's indoor and outdoor track and field squads. The national rankings are added up to equal the lowest point total to determine the standings. Wingate finished with 13 points, led by its second-place performance in men's cross country.
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate director of cross country and track and field Matt van Lierop
 
"For us to have both genders represented among the top-10 programs in the nation is an unprecedented accomplishment for Wingate XCTF. This type of accolade is the end result of years of hard work. We couldn't do it without the support from our friends, family, fans and funders. We also couldn't do it without the dedication and commitment from every Bulldog XCTF student-athlete."
 
"Not only are they performing athletically, but both genders have over a 3.00 team GPA, proving they are the definition of STUDENT-athletes. This coaching staff has come a long way in the last five years … I used to say 'This is only the beginning.' I'd now like to adjust my statement into … 'Wait until you see what we do next!'"
 
What They Are Saying, part two
Wingate cross country/track and field alumna Morgan (Neher) Dahms ('17)
 
As a WUXCTF alumna, it was exciting to witness this year's track and field teams compete at the NCAA championships in Pueblo. To see our two programs finish fourth and ninth in the USTFCCCA Program of the Year standings — the first double top-10 finishes in school history — is a huge milestone. It speaks volumes about the work ethic, culture and leadership that continue to elevate Wingate's program year after year. When I was competing, we were building momentum…it's amazing to see how that foundation has grown into national-level success. These student-athletes are continuing to raise the bar and represent the program with excellence. I couldn't be prouder to be part of the Bulldog family!
 
2024 Men's Cross Country quick season recap
 
Defending champion Wingate finished second in the hotly-contested NCAA Division II national meet, falling to '22 titlist Colorado School of Mines by three points. The Bulldogs had seven All-American performances, led by senior Hamza Chahid and his sixth-place 10K time of 29:49.2.
 
For the second year in a row, Wingate had a perfect score of 15 to win its fourth straight NCAA Division II Southeast Region championship. The Bulldogs had the top six finishers, led by senior individual champion Ricardo Barbosa.
 
Wingate won its fourth straight South Atlantic Conference championship. Ten Bulldogs started the race and 10 WU harriers made one of the three All-SAC teams. Junior Will Aitken won the individual crown, finishing six seconds faster than sophomore teammate Joaquin Campos.
 
2024-25 Men's Indoor Track and Field quick season recap
 
Wingate finished a program-best seventh place in the NCAA Division II indoor national championship meet. Senior Titouan Le Grix won the national championship in the mile run. Eight Bulldogs received first team All-American laurels with junior Luca Poppe claiming two first team AA trophies in the 3000 meters and the DMR.
 
The Bulldogs won their third SAC indoor championship meet in a row. Four Wingate student-athletes won one event each: Le Grix (5000), Poppe (mile), Aleix Lago (800) and Lars Laros (3000). The Navy Blue and Vegas Gold-clad Bulldogs notched 17 podium finishes.
 
2025 Men's Outdoor Track and Field quick season recap
 
The Bulldogs wrapped up the year with a fourth-place showing in the outdoor national championships. Wingate edged Harding by one point for the final team podium spot. Le Grix defended his national championship in the 3000 meter steeplechase, completing his WU career with three individual national titles. He finished second in the 1500 meters.
 
Wingate's program-best, fourth-place finish included nine first team All-American awards. Le Grix (steeplechase, 1500) and Chahid (1500, 5000) led the way with two first-team trophies each. The Bulldog men completed the '25 national championship meet with 14 All-American awards (nine first team, five second team).
 
The Bulldogs claimed their third consecutive SAC outdoor championship title. Six Wingate student-athletes won one event each: Aitken (steeple), Alexis Collomb (10000), Elijah Compton (400 hurdles), Levente Palvolgyi (800), Poppe (1500) and Antonin Saint-Peyre (5000). Wingate completed the two-day event with 15 podium finishes.
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 29 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 17 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
 
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