2025 CLUB RUNNING PHOTO GALLERY

HIGH POINT, N.C. – After enjoying success in each of its last two meets, the High Point Club Sports running program returns to action this weekend at the NIRCA Cross Country Southeast Regional, hosted by Wingate. 

The Panthers head into the meet with success in each of their last two outings, including a pair of first-place finishes for the men's team at the Greensboro XC Invitational (Sept. 27) and the James Madison Dashing Dukes Invitational (Oct. 11). 

As a result of High Point's success, the men's program earned the No. 8 ranking in this week's National Intercollegiate Running Club Association (NIRCA) polls. Coincidentally, the Panthers will be participating in the NIRCA Meet of the Week—this weekend's Southeast Regional. 

The Panther men claimed their first team win in 2025 at the Greensboro XC Invitational behind four Top-10 finishes, including Luca Urbanic, who captured the individual crown in a time of 16:59.56. Teammate Ethan Tharp crossed the line second in 17:07.37, ahead of fellow Panthers' Braden Davis (17:24.60) and Parker King (18:46.35), who were fourth and eighth, respectively. 

The High Point men's team claimed a total of 10 Top-25 finishes at the Greensboro XC Invitational. The combination of Nicholas Mair (19:02.18 / 11th), Matteo Higueros (19:38.99 / 12th), Kirk Traenkner (20:11.34 / 13th), Connor Bain (21:28.98 / 18th), Kyle Palombizio (21:29.88 / 19th) and Adam McKay (25:01.06 / 22nd) played a key role in helping the Panthers to edge both Winston-Salem State and Livingstone in the event. 

In the same race, the Panther women were led by Emily Utzinger, who was second in the 5k with a time of 23:22.48. Following Utzinger across the finish line was Meredith Kilpatrick, who was third with a mark of 25:03.60. Angelina Crandell finished fifth in the event for the Panthers with a time of 30:16.71. 

High Point returned to the course on October 11th, competing in the Dashing Dukes Invitational, hosted by James Madison. The men's unit, comprised of seven runners, edged out VCU, James Madison and Virginia for the top spot. 

The men once again claimed the top spot in Harrisonburg, Va., led by Urbanic, who was fourth overall with a time of 27:20.12. Davis was sixth in the meet, boasting a mark of 28:08.71, closing sixth and one spot ahead of Sterling Sharpe's time of 28:17.74. Tharp finished just outside the Top-10 in 11th, finishing in 29:06.74. 

The Panthers also got solid performances from the trio of Connor Bain (32:44.83 / 28th), Kirk Traenkner (33:12.86 / 26th) and Kyle Palombizio (33:53.69 / 28th). 

The women's race, which featured the Panthers, James Madison, Liberty, Clemson and VCU, saw the host Dukes sweep the first six finishes. Meredith Kilpatrick was the top High Point finisher, closing seventh with a time of 26:12.57. Sierra Nichols was also participating for the Panthers, finishing 18th in a time of 33:34.28. 

High Point head coach Katie Page recently discussed the keys to her team's successes on the course. Coach Page described the following in her interview: 

How has your success at Indiana Wesleyan, where you were a four-time NAIA All-American in both cross country as well as track and field, helped you better relate to the High Point Club Running program team?

Page: "I owe much of my success to my collegiate coach who valued me as an athlete and team member. His belief in each runner and the culture that we created together set us up to succeed and be up to something bigger than ourselves. Being a part of a collegiate program that stewards the wellbeing of each athlete supports me as I partner with the HPU athletes in building our Club Running program."

What specific techniques have you applied in practices that have led to the success of the teams of late? 

Page: "Success begins with relationships. One of my greatest values is building strong relationships with the athletes that I coach. I invest my time and energy-building rapport, trust, and care for each of the athletes on our HPU Club Running team. Even though we have only been together for 6 weeks, we are creating positive team synergy in our practices and cross country meets. As a USATF Level 3 Endurance Coach, the athletes are receiving high-level training, but the secret sauce is that we have fun together and the athletes know that I care about their wellbeing. We have success because the athletes train consistently and do the work. Consistency is king."

You have a strong background in coaching all ages of competitors. What do you see for the future of the program and this group of competitors, on both the men's and women's teams, that will help build the program's sustainability for future success?

Page: "Our team is a family. As a coach, it's my goal to create a team environment that builds a sense of belonging and fosters lifelong relationships. There is something incredibly special training with other like-minded individuals that love running and have a deep-rooted purpose to our sport. HPU Club Running is for all levels of collegiate athletes that have a passion to train and compete. My hope is that each athlete within our program will grow in their love for running. I want our athletes to know that running is a life-long endeavor and that these years running collegiately are just the beginning. Running collegiately was the best part of my young adulthood. When I graduated from college, I felt a deep sense of loss because I no longer had my team or coach. I stopped running for 18-years and then after a family tragedy with the loss of our baby, I began running to navigate grief. I love re-discovering this sport as a Masters Athlete and wholeheartedly believe that running is a lifeline. I'm competing in events that I never imagined I would do when I was a collegiate athlete - like half marathons and triathlons. I want our athletes to know that there is a world of running beyond our 4 years together and let's use our time together to lay a solid foundation to build upon. My gratitude for this sport grows each day and that's what I want to foster within our team. Our vision for this program is simple: Relationships are Everything. Consistency is King. Running is Life." 

Have you integrated any techniques you learned in yoga with members of the team in order to make for a more complete runner? 

Page: "I am incorporating a stretching series at the end of our training sessions which introduces elements of yoga to the team. I plan to incorporate breath work, mindfulness, and meditation to the team during our indoor track & field season."