[UPDATE] College Track & Field Women's Distance Recruiting Class Rankings - Class of 2024
Ranking the distance recruiting classes for the Class of 2024. Athletes taken into consideration include those who enrolled in either Spring 2024 or Fall 2024 with freshman eligibility. Transfer athletes, including international transfers (internationals coming in NOT with freshman eligibility), are not taken into consideration. A signing class must have at least three athletes to qualify for these rankings.
For previous rankings, click here
Updated September 23rd, 2024
Honorable Mentions: Syracuse, Providence, Georgetown, Minnesota, Penn, Cal Poly, Oklahoma State, Boston College, & *Tulane
No notable changes for Utah's class.
Previously unranked, big highlight for Oregon State's class is Cadence Kasprick, who most notably won the 2A distance triple crown at the Utah state championships.
Colorado was unranked last time because they only had two signings at the time. Since then, the Buffs added in-state athlete Olivia Sheridan to the class to complete the rule of three.
San Juanita Leal capped off her high school career with two Texas state track titles (1600 and 3200) and ran the the 5th fastest 3200 time in the country (9:50.80) at Brooks PR. Deborah Cherono ended up no longer enrolling at Texas A&M, which is why the Aggies dropped down in rankings.
Both Tayissa Buchanan and Ada Rand hit the U20 World standard last season, with the latter representing Australia at the U20 World Championships. Liv Nickelsen was also another addition to the class.
Kiki Vaughn improved her mile PB down to 4:45 at NBNO. Again, this ranking seems low because of how small the class is, but it is a very quality class and could easily be a top 15 class.
Since the last rankings post, added Irish Schools 1500 national champion Nicole Dinan.
10 total women's distance signings for CBU. The Lancers lost a handful of starters to the transfer portal and a few to graduation. A few of the athletes in this class will have more elevated roles than expected for CBU this year.
No significant changes for Wake Forest's women's class. They did add 5 graduate transfers to the roster, but that is not taken into consideration for these rankings.
Added Amber Wimbish to the class. She is an 800m runner, but will be coached by the sprint staff.
Katherine Bohlke won the NBNO steeplechase national title and the class as a whole saw improvements this track season.
No notable changes for Michigan's class.
Since the last rankings post, Indiana added Nola Somers Glenn, 2:07 800 runner, to the class.
Added Pheline Cheruto, who has a personal best of 32:49. Addison Dorenkamp was also the Nike Outdoor Nationals 2 Mile champion and ran the #7 fastest 3200 time in the country (9:56.28). Pheline, Addison, and Franziska Drexler all have the potential to be immediate impacts for Alabama this Fall.
The biggest addition since the last update was Betty Jepchirchir, who has run 15:48.58 for 5000m at 6000 feet elevation.
Tennessee retained their entire women's distance freshman class following the coaching change. Since the last rankings post, the Lady Vols also added Psalmn Jones.
Since the last update, Michigan State added a handful of in-state signings and most of the class saw improvements in times and performances this track season.
Added Florida 3A 3200 and 1600 state champion Christiana Coleman & Malinda Underwood is no longer a part of UF's class. Gabby Schmidt improved her 5000 personal best to 16:23.46 and represented Australia at the U20 World XC and T&F championships.
Since the last rankings, BYU added Andie Aagard, two-time Utah State champion and two-time NXN qualifier, placing 12th in 2022.
Added Ellie Shea, 3x Footlocker Nationals qualifier and multiple-time track national champion, to the class.
Added Mercy Kirarei, Pamela Kogsei, and Judy Rono to the class.
No notable changes for Virginia's class.
Maddie Gardiner represented the US at the U20 XC World Championships, Reese Dalton made big improvements on the track, and Logan St. John Kletter won the NBNO 2 mile national title.
Amaya Aramini improved to 4:49.21/10:13.76 in the 1600/3200. Addison Knoblauch won the NBNO 5000 national title. Nicki Southerland won the Indiana 800 state title and ran the 7th fastest time in the country (2:05.14). Allori ran the 4th fastest 3200 of the year (9:47.08) and won the Colorado 3A state quadruple (4x800, 3200, 800, 1600). I believe Notre Dame has the fastest 3200 class average of all of class of 2024, which could make ND the best cross-country/distance class for the year.
Oregon's athletes made the most appearances on the performance highlights posts this past Spring. This class is by far the top middle-distance class for the 2024 cycle. Oregon also added Liliana Hudnut since the last rankings post.
