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Cross Country

Gallery: Syracuse has historic day at NCAA cross-country Championships

Justyn Knight finished 143rd, fourth, second and, finally, first in his NCAA individual championship races.
Justyn Knight finished 143rd, fourth, second and, finally, first in his NCAA individual championship races. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Knight helped win Syracuse a team national title in 2015, but he took home his own trophy on Saturday.
Knight helped win Syracuse a team national title in 2015, but he took home his own trophy on Saturday. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Knight told The Daily Orange after the race: "I just had an out of body experience and said, ‘You know, Justyn, you’re going to look back at this and if you don’t go right now, you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life.’"
Knight told The Daily Orange after the race: "I just had an out of body experience and said, ‘You know, Justyn, you’re going to look back at this and if you don’t go right now, you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life.’" Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Knight embraced one of the two Northern Arizona runners he out-kicked in the final 300 meters to win.
Knight embraced one of the two Northern Arizona runners he out-kicked in the final 300 meters to win. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Just before Knight crossed the finish line, he glanced left and saw his coach, Chris Fox, smiling.
Just before Knight crossed the finish line, he glanced left and saw his coach, Chris Fox, smiling. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Knight had a cramp about four kilometers into the 10-kilometer race, but that didn't slow him.
Knight had a cramp about four kilometers into the 10-kilometer race, but that didn't slow him. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Syracuse, as a team, finished in 13th place with 406 points.
Syracuse, as a team, finished in 13th place with 406 points. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Knight finished in 29:00.1, nudging Northern Arizona's Matthew Baxter by seven-tenths of a second. He averaged a 4:40.2 mile.
Knight finished in 29:00.1, nudging Northern Arizona's Matthew Baxter by seven-tenths of a second. He averaged a 4:40.2 mile. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Senior Paige Stoner finished 17th in the Women’s 6,000-meter race at the NCAA Championships Saturday morning, the best finish in SU women’s program history.
Senior Paige Stoner finished 17th in the Women’s 6,000-meter race at the NCAA Championships Saturday morning, the best finish in SU women’s program history. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Stoner finished in 19:52.0, good for 5:19.6 per mile.
Stoner finished in 19:52.0, good for 5:19.6 per mile. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Because the race start times were bumped up, Stoner woke up at 5 a.m., her parents said, because she wakes up four hours before every race she runs.
Because the race start times were bumped up, Stoner woke up at 5 a.m., her parents said, because she wakes up four hours before every race she runs. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
After the race, Stoner told The Daily Orange: “You work so hard all your life. This is my last race ever, to go out like this, it’s really special.”
After the race, Stoner told The Daily Orange: “You work so hard all your life. This is my last race ever, to go out like this, it’s really special.” Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Stoner transferred to Syracuse from Lipscomb, in Tennessee, and several of her teammates drove to Louisville to support their former teammate.
Stoner transferred to Syracuse from Lipscomb, in Tennessee, and several of her teammates drove to Louisville to support their former teammate. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Stoner finished exactly 33 seconds behind the eventual winner, Ednah Kurgat of New Mexico.
Stoner finished exactly 33 seconds behind the eventual winner, Ednah Kurgat of New Mexico. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor
Stoner brought a small snack from Syracuse in a lunchbox, her mom said: an all-natural wheat English muffin with butter on it, along with a Granny Smith apple.
Stoner brought a small snack from Syracuse in a lunchbox, her mom said: an all-natural wheat English muffin with butter on it, along with a Granny Smith apple. Paul Schlesinger | Asst. Photo Editor

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By Paul Schlesinger Staff Photographer

Syracuse senior Justyn Knight won the NCAA cross-country championships on Saturday morning in Louisville, Kentucky. A kick in the final 300 meters led to an “out of body experience” and helped Knight capture the title. For the women’s team, Paige Stoner gave the Orange its best finish ever at 17th in 19:52.0, which was identical to her victory at the ACC Championships on Oct. 27 on the same course. You can see all our best shots from the races above and read all our cross-country coverage here.

Published on November 18, 2017 at 12:45 pm

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