NEWS | Complete USTFCCCA release
 
New Orleans, La.----The Wingate University women's cross country and women's track and field teams received a big honor this month, as the Bulldogs finished ninth in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Program of the Year standings. The Wingate women earn a top-10 USTFCCCA Program of the Year spot for the first time in school history.
 
The USTFCCCA Program of the Year award is based on the national finishes of the women's cross country team and the women'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 63 points, led by its eighth-place performance in women'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 Women's Cross Country quick season recap
 
Wingate earned an eighth-place finish in the NCAA Division II national championship meet, hitting the eight spot for the second year in a row. Junior Mia Cabrera led the Bulldogs, taking 41st place with her 6K time of 21:27.1. She missed All-American honors by one position. Lee (Tenn.) senior Ana Patricia Campos ran an identical time and was awarded 40th place via a photo finish.
 
The Bulldogs had four student-athletes finish in the top eight as Wingate claimed its third consecutive NCAA Division II Southeast Region championship. Cabrera finished second, thanks to her personal-best time of 21:09.5. Freshman Firdaouss Hriche also ran a PR, claiming fourth place with her time of 21:27.1.
 
Wingate collected its eighth South Atlantic Conference championship, placing five runners in the league meet's top 11. The Bulldogs have won the last four SAC championship meets in a row.
 
Seniors Grace Burrell and Laila Abouzaid led the way, claiming second and third place, respectively. Burrell ran a 21:35.01 6K, while Abouzaid posted a 21:47.66 time. Wingate had seven student-athletes make the three All-SAC teams with four runners receiving first-team laurels.
 
2024-25 Women's Indoor Track and Field quick season recap
 
Wingate tied for 23rd place at the NCAA Division II indoor national championship meet. Wingate, Embry-Riddle (Fla.) and Oklahoma Baptist shared the 23rd spot with eight points each.
 
Cabrera finished second in the mile run, setting a new school standard with her time of 4:41.48. She also finished 17th in the 3000 meters with her time of 9:58.30. The DMR quartet took ninth place with a time of 11:36.27. The WU DMR squad included Sira Bo, Dounia Routbi, Baia Touza and Evie Brooks.

The Bulldogs won their third SAC indoor championship meet in a row. Cabrera won the mile run and the 3000 meters. Four Wingate student-athletes won one event each: Burrell (5000), Assiya Elhafyan (high jump), Amber Lawless (shot put) and Ennessey Sorrells (triple jump).
 
2025 Women's Outdoor Track and Field quick season recap
 
The Bulldogs concluded their season by tying for 30th place in the outdoor national championships. Wingate collected eight points, tying Lubbock Christian and Mount Olive for the 30th spot on the team leader board.
 
Cabrera finished second in the 1500 meters with her time of 4:29.62. Brooks finished ninth in the same race with her time of 4:35.75. Wingate had six student-athletes participate in the outdoor national championships, including three first-time qualifiers.
 
Wingate scored 249 points to win its third consecutive SAC outdoor championship. Nine Bulldogs won one event each: Hayat Abdeselam (triple jump), Brooks (1500), Cabrera (800), Elhafyan (high jump), Hoyane Esper (400 hurdles), Ally Holmberg (javelin), Hriche (steeple), Lawless (shot put) and Judith Vaquero (discus throw). Wingate completed the two-day event with 20 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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