CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Notre Dame’s Daelen Ackley was selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Cross Country Performer of the Week, while NC State’s Hannah Gapes was named the ACC Women’s Cross Country Performer of the Week. Clemson’s Nancy Cherop was nominated the ACC Women’s Cross Country Freshman of the Week, while North Carolina’s Caden Leonard earned ACC Men’s Cross Country Freshman of the Week honors.
 
ACC MEN’S PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Daelen Ackley, 5th., Notre Dame (El Dorado Springs, Missouri)

• Placed fourth overall at the site of the 2026 NCAA Cross Country National Championships with a time of 23:20.5.
• Has not finished lower than fourth so far through three races in 2026.

 
ACC MEN’S FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Caden Leonard, Fr., North Carolina (Southlake, Texas)

• For the second consecutive race, secured the highest finish of all Tar Heels in the 8k at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational.
• Claimed a top-20 spot at 19th, running an 8k time of 23:34.9 

ACC WOMEN’S PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Hannah Gapes, 5th., NC State (Rotorua, New Zealand)

• Came first out of 322 athletes in the Women’s 6k individual Champion at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational.
• Recorded the fastest time ever recorded by a female in the 6k at the LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course.
• Named the USTFCCA Division 1 National Athlete of the Week for the second time this season

 
ACC WOMEN’S FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Nancy Cherop, Fr., Clemson (Mount Elgon, Kenya)

• Placed 11th with a time of 19:38.40 in the women's 6k at the Pre-National Invitational
• Help guide the team to a fourth overall finish with 229 points, just behind three top 10 nationally ranked teams.

ACC Cross Country Men’s Performer of the Week
Sept. 8 – Charles Guerrera, So., Syracuse; Roan Kelly, R-So., Virginia Tech
Sept. 15 – Connell Alford, Jr., Syracuse
Sept. 22 – Dylan DeCambre, Sr., Virginia Tech
Sept. 29 – Benne Anderson, Sr., Syracuse   
Oct. 6 – Daelin Ackley, 5th, Notre Dame
Oct.13 - Elsingi Kipruto, So., Louisville
Oct. 20 - Daelin Ackley, 5th, Notre Dame
 
ACC Cross Country Men’s Freshman of the Week
Sept. 8 – Robert Leonard, Fr., Virginia Tech
Sept. 15 – Caden Leonard, Fr., North Carolina
Sept. 22 – Daniel Skandera, Fr., Wake Forest
Sept. 29 – Caden Leonard, Fr., North Carolina
Oct. 6 – Noah Bontrager, Fr., Notre Dame
Oct.13 - Sean Fries, Fr., Stanford
Oct. 20 - Caden Leonard, Fr., North Carolina
                                                                                                                                                                                          
ACC Cross Country Women’s Performer of the Week
Sept. 8 – Nancy Cherop, Fr., Clemson
Sept. 15 – Ciara O’Shea, R-Jr., North Carolina; Kiera Rogan, So., Syracuse
Sept. 22 – Rylee Blade, So., Florida State
Sept. 29 – Victoria Garces, So., Duke
Oct. 6 - Hannah Gapes, 5th, NC State
Oct.13 - Nancy Chepleting, Jr., Louisville
Oct. 20 - Hannah Gapes, 5th, NC State
 
ACC Cross Country Women’s Freshman of the Week
Sept. 8 – Nancy Cherop, Fr., Clemson
Sept. 15 – Chase Gilbert, Fr., Virginia
Sept. 22 – Nancy Cherop, Fr., Clemson
Sept. 29 – Sundara Weber, Fr., Duke
Oct. 6 – Brenda Jeptoo, Fr., Virginia Tech                                                                                            
Oct. 13 - Amaya Bharadwaj, Fr., Stanford
Oct. 20 - Nancy Cherop, Fr., Clemson