Temple University Athletics

Photo by: Kenny Dango
Temple Cross Country Races Strong at 2024 Championships
11.1.24 | Men's Cross Country
WICHITA, Kan. - Temple's cross country team competed in the 2024 Athletic American Championships on Friday afternoon at Wichita State. Graham Thomas was named All-Conference. The men's team finished in 3rd place, while the women's team came in 13th. The Owls will be back in action in two weeks for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship.
Graham Thomas delivered an outstanding performance, finishing 13th, joined by two other Owls in the top 20: Octave Frenoy (17th) and Cole Frank (19th). Cole recorded a season-best time of 24:58.3. A total of 94 men participated, with Tulane taking the top spot with 33 points. Their top five runners finished 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, and 18th. Tulsa closely followed, also scoring 33 points.
On the women's side, freshman Amelia Sabatino led the Owls, placing 74th out of 108 competitors. Jillian Wolk achieved a personal best, improving her previous 6K time by nearly 20 seconds with a time of 24:34.4. The Owls were without junior standout Elsa Chan, who has not raced this season due to injury. Tulsa won the women's race with three runners finishing in the top 15, scoring 63 points. While last year's champion, Tulane, finished second with 66 points despite having runners place first and second overall.
Temple's Results (men)
13. Graham Thomas (24:41.8)
17. Octave Frenoy (24.52.9)
19. Cole Frank (24.58.3)
20. Mattia Zen (25.00.4)
32. Jimmy Koel (25:18.2)
33. David Troy (25:19.3)
40. Francesco Candiani (25:28.7)
61. William Whalen (26:26.7)
79. David Litvin (27:10.5)
Temple's Results (women)
74. Amelia Sabatino (23:58.7)
81. Emma-Kate Wat (24:08.5)
89. Jillian Wolk (24:34.4)
95. Maya Gomes (25:43.9)
96. Laila Cotton (25.58.7)
Quotable: Assistant Coach Riley Buchholz
"I'm super proud of both of these teams. The woman ran a great race and got to learn what a conference championship is all about. On the men's side we knew we could get third but going into that race I told them we're gonna have to earn it. Nothing is gonna be handed to us. They followed the race plan and ran their hearts out. We had some people step up big and help the team when it mattered. Graham Thomas got his first all-conference! Octave Frenoy was two spots away, and Jimmy Koel, our 5th year senior, stepped up big and was our 5th guy! Now we need to get ready for regionals in 2 weeks!"
For complete coverage of Temple Cross Country & Track and Field Soccer, follow the Owls on social media @owlsxctnf (Twitter), facebook.com/TempleXC/T&F (Facebook), @owlsxctnf (Instagram), or visit the official home of Temple University Athletics at owlsports.com.
Graham Thomas delivered an outstanding performance, finishing 13th, joined by two other Owls in the top 20: Octave Frenoy (17th) and Cole Frank (19th). Cole recorded a season-best time of 24:58.3. A total of 94 men participated, with Tulane taking the top spot with 33 points. Their top five runners finished 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, and 18th. Tulsa closely followed, also scoring 33 points.
On the women's side, freshman Amelia Sabatino led the Owls, placing 74th out of 108 competitors. Jillian Wolk achieved a personal best, improving her previous 6K time by nearly 20 seconds with a time of 24:34.4. The Owls were without junior standout Elsa Chan, who has not raced this season due to injury. Tulsa won the women's race with three runners finishing in the top 15, scoring 63 points. While last year's champion, Tulane, finished second with 66 points despite having runners place first and second overall.
Temple's Results (men)
13. Graham Thomas (24:41.8)
17. Octave Frenoy (24.52.9)
19. Cole Frank (24.58.3)
20. Mattia Zen (25.00.4)
32. Jimmy Koel (25:18.2)
33. David Troy (25:19.3)
40. Francesco Candiani (25:28.7)
61. William Whalen (26:26.7)
79. David Litvin (27:10.5)
Temple's Results (women)
74. Amelia Sabatino (23:58.7)
81. Emma-Kate Wat (24:08.5)
89. Jillian Wolk (24:34.4)
95. Maya Gomes (25:43.9)
96. Laila Cotton (25.58.7)
Quotable: Assistant Coach Riley Buchholz
"I'm super proud of both of these teams. The woman ran a great race and got to learn what a conference championship is all about. On the men's side we knew we could get third but going into that race I told them we're gonna have to earn it. Nothing is gonna be handed to us. They followed the race plan and ran their hearts out. We had some people step up big and help the team when it mattered. Graham Thomas got his first all-conference! Octave Frenoy was two spots away, and Jimmy Koel, our 5th year senior, stepped up big and was our 5th guy! Now we need to get ready for regionals in 2 weeks!"
For complete coverage of Temple Cross Country & Track and Field Soccer, follow the Owls on social media @owlsxctnf (Twitter), facebook.com/TempleXC/T&F (Facebook), @owlsxctnf (Instagram), or visit the official home of Temple University Athletics at owlsports.com.
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