Villanova Cross Country Star And Olympian Wins NCAA National Championship

Villanova University senior cross country runner Patrick Tiernan is the 2016 NCAA Cross Country National Champion, according to the university.

The 22-year-old Australia native capped his career at Villanova with earning the title on Nov. 19 at the meet in Terre Haute, Ind.

According to the university, Tiernan is the second Wildcat to bring home a national championship title in cross country.

The university reports Tiernan won the race by 5.3 seconds and finished with a winning time of 29:22.0 on the 10,000 meter LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.

With the win, Tiernan is the first Villanova men's runner to be a four-time cross country All-American, and also joined Vic Zwolak, class of 1963, as the only Wildcats to be cross country national champions, the university said.

Tiernan is no stranger to high-stakes competition though. He represented Australia in 5000 meter event in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Congratulations to Patrick Tiernan and good luck in the future!

Image via Villanova University Facebook