On November 23rd, a crisp autumn day, Ceili McCabe stepped onto the start line of the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the final time in her collegiate cross country career. The Vancouver-born star delivered an extraordinary performance, placing sixth overall in the women's 6K with a time of 19:41.2. McCabe earned First Team All-America honours for her efforts, marking the ninth All-America accolade of her career. Her standout run also propelled West Virginia University (WVU) to a historic second-place finish - their best-ever team result at the NCAA Championships.
Stepping back in time, McCabe's running journey began in British Columbia. She went through her high school years at Little Flower Academy, where she quickly made a name for herself as a rising talent under coach Mark Wilkie. She excelled across distances, winning the BC School Sports Track and Field Championships 1500-meter steeplechase title and earning bronze in the 800 meters in 2019. That same year, she dominated the Canadian U20 Championships in the 3000-meter steeplechase, clocking a personal best of 10:38.30.
Now flash-forward to this past weekend, McCabe's final NCAA XC race showcased her signature grit. She stayed with the lead pack through the opening kilometers before finishing sixth in a competitive field. Alabama's Doris Lemngole ultimately claimed the individual title, but McCabe's efforts helped secure WVU's historic runner-up team finish.