Lavassas Earns Highest Finish in Program History at National Championships

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Junior distance runner Daphnee Lavassas completed the NCAA Cross Country Championships at the Panorama Farms Cross Country Course Saturday morning.

The program record holder in the women’s 6K race finished 46th out of a pool of 247 runners from across the country. 

“The result is good but we always want to be better. This year we went through a lot with my team….A new coach, head athletic trainer, and trainer, all of which have been great additions to our team…Today was a big step forward that everyone noticed. Hopefully, my work ethic will one day be a source of inspiration for others. There is no other team I would rather put my heart and soul out there for than The U,” Lavassas said after her historic finish for the program.

Lavassas’ final time of 20:08.4 is the best finish in women’s program history at the national championships, beating out Melanie Schultz’s time of 21:37.9 in 2005.

“I am very proud of how Daphnee competed in her first NCAA Championships. She ran a very gutsy race, moving up from start to finish. Coach Wilk has done a wonderful job preparing her for this moment,” Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Amy Deem said.

For the full results from the 2023 NCAA Cross Country Championships, click HERE.

To stay up to date with the University of Miami cross country team, be sure to follow @canestrack on Instagram, Facebook, and X.