Completed Event: Cross Country versus USATF U20 Cross Country Championships on December 6, 2025 , , NTS
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Final
Cross Country
vs USATF U20 Cross Country Championships
Duke Women Win Season Opener
9/2/2016 9:50:00 PM | Cross Country
DURHAM, N.C. -- For the second consecutive year, the Duke women's cross country team opened the season with a victory, defeating the alumni team, 15-50, in the second annual Duke Alumni Meet held in Durham, N.C. The Blue Devils won the contest by placing all eight of its competitors ahead of the first former Blue Devil finisher.
“It's always a big deal when you put on the Duke jersey, especially having as many freshmen as we have,” head women's cross country coach Rhonda Riley said. “There's a sense of pride, and today was the first time they were able to put on that uniform and race for Duke. I am very pleased with their efforts.”
Freshman Lindsay Billings paced the Blue Devils, covering the four-kilometer course in a time of 14:14, averaging 5:43 miles in the process. Sophomore Gabrielle Richichi crossed the finish as the second-place finisher, clocking a time of 14:25, while fellow sophomore Liz Lansing placed third with a time of 14:32. Freshman Sarah Armstrong finished just five seconds behind Lansing, posting a time of 14:36 to take fourth, and sophomore Sheridan Wilbur rounded out Duke's top five after registering a time of 14:44. Duke's sixth-place finisher, sophomore Olivia Gwynn, improved on her time of 15:07 from last season's opener, crossing the finish with a time of 14:50. Freshmen Brittany Aveni and Veronica Brtek placed seventh and eighth, recording times of 15:12 and 15:39, respectively.
The team of former Duke competitors, which included Grace Chang, Abby Farley, Gina Daniel, Gabby Levac and Stephanie Skove, ran together for a majority of the race, with Chang leading the way for the alumni team by placing ninth overall in a time of 17:00. Farley (10th) and Daniel (11th) crossed the finish simultaneously in a time of 22:39, with Levac (12th) and Skove (13th) stopping the clock at 22:46.
“It's always fun to get back here when I can and help support the team,” Farley said. “The team seems excited to start racing and get the season rolling. I remember being a freshman and a sophomore and not really knowing what I was doing, but they seem ready to go. I wish I was back in their shoes, because it goes really fast. I think they're taking it a day at a time, and enjoying the process of getting into shape and racing at the collegiate level.”
The Duke women return to competition next Saturday, Sept. 10, traveling to Terre Haute, Ind., for the Sycamore Invitational.
#GoDuke
1. Lindsay Billings - 14:14
2. Gabrielle Richichi - 14:25
3. Liz Lansing - 14:32
4. Sarah Armstrong - 14:36
5. Sheridan Wilbur - 14:44
6. Olivia Gwynn - 14:50
7. Brittany Aveni - 15:12
8. Veronica Brtek - 15:39
9. Grace Chang - 17:00
10. Abby Farley - 22:39
11. Gina Daniel - 22:39
12. Gabby Levac - 22:46
13. Stephanie Skove - 22:46
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