Cross Country Sweeps Virginia Invitational To Open Season, O’Shea Claims Individual Win

Friday, September 11

Charlottesville, Va.

8:45 a.m.

North Carolina

Virginia Invitational

Cross Country Sweeps Virginia Invitational To Open Season, O’Shea Claims Individual Win

September 11, 2026 | Cross Country

By: Franki Noble

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The North Carolina cross country program opened the season in dominant fashion with both the women's and men's teams securing a first-place finish at the Virginia Invitational on Friday morning.

The morning at Panorama Farm began with the men's 6k which saw Joe Barrett claim the highest spot for Carolina at second with a time of 17:44.3. Other Tar Heels in the top ten include Noah Breker (17:48.7) directly behind Barrett in third, Jacob Laney following in fourth (17:49.9), Caden Leonard rounding out the top five in fifth (17:51.5) as well as Brian Burns in seventh (17:56.5) and Robert Mechura in eighth (17:58.2). With the results, Carolina claimed first place in the men's 6k, accumulating 21 points total.

Barrett improved his time in the 6k from the last time he competed in the event by almost 15 seconds, with his last time being 17:58.0 at last season's adidas XC Challenge.

North Carolina's winning ways continued moving into the women's event as the team secured another first-place finish while Ciara O'Shea claimed an individual win on the day. O'Shea claimed the top position with a personal best in the 5k, clocking in a time of 16:46.0.

Following behind O'Shea in the top ten were four Tar Heels donning Carolina Blue. Kinley Wolfe (17:00.6) and Libby Catelli (17:04.0) claimed fourth and fifth place respectively while Logan St. John Kletter (17:13.0) placed eighth and Pia Beaulieu (17:13.9) came in ninth. Wolfe, placing in the top-five, set a personal best, finishing 51 seconds ahead of her last PR. Just out of the top-ten, Maddie Gardiner set a personal best in the 5k with a time of 17:20.6.

As a team, the women's program accrued 27 points to finish first.

Men's 6k Results: 1^st Place
2. Joe Barrett – 17:39.0
3. Noah Breker – 17:48.7
4. Jacob Laney – 17.49.9
5. Caden Leonard – 17:51.5
7. Brian Burns – 17:56.5
8. Robert Mechura – 17:58.2
14. Tommy Latham – 18:14.9
16. Luke Pash – 18:17.9
23. Jack Bowen – 18:29.0
29. Joe Sapone – 18:40.8

Women's 5k Results: 1^st Place
1. Ciara O'Shea – 16:46.0
4. Kinley Wolfe – 17:00. 6
5. Libby Castelli – 14:04.0
8. Logan St. John Kletter – 17:13
9. Pia Beaulieu – 17:13.9
12. Maddie Gardiner – 17:20.6
18. Hannah Rae Shaffer – 17:41.2
21. Camryn Wennersten – 17:49.6
24. Katelyn Rupe – 17:56.8
27. Alli DeLisi – 18:03.3
30. Grace Hanson – 18:08.5

Full results can be found here.