Poised for the Next Challenge: Women’s Cross Country Looks Ahead

Photo provided by SCU Athletics. Santa Clara University's Women's Cross Country team gears up for their upcoming race.

Santa Clara University’s women’s cross country team wrapped up the 2024 West Coast Conference Championships with a 7th-place finish on Nov. 2, gaining momentum for the NCAA West Regionals.

Sophomore Olivia Schlieman led the Broncos with a 42 place out of 102 runners with a time of 22:00.9 for the 6k (3.7 miles), marking significant improvement from her previous time of 24:04.6. 

“The team was nervous and excited; everything led up to this race,” Schlieman said after the meet. “It went well, and there are definitely things we can improve on, but it was a great experience.”

Another runner for the Broncos, Milaina Almonte, placed 64th at the Championships with a time of  22:51.2 for her 6k. 

Almonte attributes her success this season to her mental toughness and mindset. She has concentrated on developing mental toughness through journaling after practice and visualization. As the team prepares for regionals, she believes this emphasis on mental preparation will be essential.

“Cross country races are as much mental as they are physical. I make an effort to remain calm and encouraging,” said Almonte. “Given how close our team is, we are more driven to persevere through the difficult times when we run together.”

With the Broncos' performance at the West Coast Conference Championships—even though the team did not place in the top five, the heights they had planned for—Schlieman and Almonte believe it provided insights on what to work on and a solid basis for the difficulties that lie ahead. 

“We know we’ve done the physical work, so now we focus on the mentality of believing in ourselves,” Schlieman said. “It’s about going out there, doing our best, and pushing each other in the race.”

As the Broncos prepare for the NCAA West Regionals, Santa Clara University women's cross country team is confident that they are on the right path. With the right mindset, focus, and determination, the team is ready to show that they have the talent and grit to compete at the next level.