North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
Adidas XC Challenge
Wolfpack Open Season With Pair of Podium Finishes at Adidas XC Challenge
9/18/2026 9:00:00 PM | Cross Country
CARY, N.C. - The Wolfpack women opened the season with a first-place finish Friday afternoon, while the men also secured a podium finish in the season opener at the Adidas XC Challenge.
The Wolfpack men kicked off the afternoon with the 6k, led by junior Noah Valyo, who paced the Pack to a second-place individual finish in a field of 15 teams with a time of 17:53.4. As a team, NC State finished second with 66 points. Phillip Blum also earned a top-10 finish, crossing the line in 18:06.0.
In the latest women's 5k start in Adidas XC Challenge history, the Wolfpack women raced against the clock as daylight faded, powering to a first-place team finish behind a 1-3-4 finish from Bethany Michalak (1st, 16:34.2), Angelina Napoleon (3rd, 16:41.7), and Emily Wisniewski (4th, 16:44.2).
Three additional Wolfpack runners finished inside the top 10, with Ellie Shea placing sixth in 16:48.3, Briley Bickerstaff taking seventh in 16:57.9, and Mallory Weller finishing 10th in 17:03.2.
NC State claimed the team title, finishing first out of 16 teams with 21 points.
Final Results:ÂMen's 6k (Out of 158 athletes):Â
2nd - Noah Valyo (17:53.4)
9th - Philip Blum (18:06.0)
16th - Asher Oates (18:14.3)
25th - Gabe Schmid (18:37.7)
27th - Luke Wiley (18:41.5)
30th - James Callahan (18:44.8)
31st - Ryan Montondo (18:45.6)
37th - Elliott McArthur (18:50.9)
42nd - Jack Anstrom (18:59.9)
57th - Will Venable (19:28.4)
Women's 5k (Out of 164 athletes):
1st - Bethany Michalak (16:34.2)
3rd - Angelina Napoleon (16:41.7)
4th - Emily Wisniewski (16:44.2)
6th - Ellie Shea (16:48.3)
7th - Briley Bickerstaff (16:57.9)
10th - Mallory Weller (17:03.2)
15th - Maddie Gullickson (17:10.9)
19th - Jolena Quarzo (17:20.5)
20th - Chandler Welsh (17:23.8)
21st - Brooke Chapman (17:23.9)
24th - Rachel Forsyth (17:29.8
27th - Caroline Murrell (17:40.0)
28th - Jessica Jazwinski (17:43.2)
Up Next: The Wolfpack will split its squad for its next competitions, with select athletes traveling to compete in the Dill Family Foundation Invitational, hosted by East Carolina, while others head north to compete in the Joe Piane Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame, on Oct. 2.
#GoPack | #WolfpackXC
