Cross Country

ACC Announces Cross Country Performers of the Week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – NC State’s Hannah Gapes was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Performer of the Week, alongside Notre Dame’s Daelen Ackley, who earned the men’s honor. North Carolina’s Joe Barrett made an impressive collegiate debut at NC State’s adidas XC Challenge, earning the ACC Men’s Freshman of the Week title.
 
Men’s Performer of the Week – Daelen Ackley, Senior, Notre Dame (El Dorado Springs, Missouri)
  • Won the individual title at the National Catholic Invite, finishing the 8K course ahead of 140 other runners and clocking in at 23:48.4.
  • Led Notre Dame to its second consecutive first-place finish this season with a team score of 20.
Men’s Freshman of the Week – Joe Barrett, Freshman, North Carolina (Lincroft, New Jersey)
  • Was the first collegiate runner to cross the finish line at the adidas XC Challenge, completing the men’s 6K in 17:58.0
  • His finish led North Carolina to its first team title of the season, with a team score of 15.
Women’s Performer of the Week – Hannah Gapes, Senior, NC State (Rotorua, New Zealand)
  • Claimed victory in the women’s 5K at the adidas XC Challenge, leading her team to a first-place overall finish in their season debut.
  • Crossed the finish line in 16:01.8, 14.7 seconds faster than her time at the 2024 adidas XC Challenge.
 
2025 ACC Cross Country Men’s Performer of the Week
Sept. 2 – Nicholas Bendtsen, Grad., Distance, Virginia
Sept. 9 – Nathan Atchue, Fr., Distance, Virginia Tech
Sept. 16 – Justin Pretre, Sr., Distance, California
Sept. 23 – Daelen Ackley, Sr., Distance, Notre Dame
 
2025 ACC Cross Country Men’s Freshman of the Week
Sept. 2 – Wyatt Windham, Fr., Distance, Georgia Tech
Sept. 9 – N/A
Sept. 16 – Elsingi Kipruto, Fr., Distance, Louisville
Sept. 23 – Joe Barrett, Fr., Distance, North Carolina
 
2025 ACC Cross Country Women’s Performer of the Week
Sept. 2 – Stella Kermes, So., Distance, Virginia
Sept. 9 – Sophia Holgado, So., Distance, Virginia Tech
Sept. 16 – Silvia Jelelgo, So., Distance, Clemson
Sept. 23 – Hannah Gapes, Sr., Distance, NC State
 
2025 ACC Cross Country Women’s Freshman of the Week
Sept. 2 – Caitlin Thomas, Fr., Distance, Georgia Tech
Sept. 9 – N/A
Sept. 16 – Caitlin Thomas, Fr., Distance, Georgia Tech
Sept. 23 – N/A