Parley Hannan ’20 Wins National Title in Cross Country

By Justin Lutes, November 26, 2019
Senior wins program’s first-ever individual title.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, Parley Hannan ’20 won the first women's cross country national championship in school history. Running at the NCAA Championships in Louisville, Kentucky, Hannan posted a winning time of 20:53.8, becoming the 30th student-athlete to win a national title for the Bombers, and taking home the 46th overall individual national championship.

Hannan, who bested the field of 277 runners by 18 seconds, is the 18th women's cross country runner to earn All-America status. Prior to her showing last Saturday, Ithaca's best individual finish came from Jannette Bonrouhi ’90, who finished fifth in 1988.

“It was so fun to watch her race today,” said head coach Erin Dinan. “Parley looked so confident and her legs were just rolling! When she finished, she looked like she was ready to do it again. Parley had such an ease to running the race, not to say she didn't work hard, but she felt so comfortable and confident the entire time.”

A few days later, Hannan was named the Women's National Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Hannan’s victory helped the Bombers finish 26th overall in the team standings with 609 points.