North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
Joe Piane Invitational
Gapes Leads the Pack as NC State Women Take Title at Joe Piane Invitational
10/2/2026 3:42:00 PM | Cross Country
NOTRE DAME, IN - The NC State cross country teams returned to the podium Friday afternoon for the second consecutive meet this season, with the Wolfpack women claiming the team title and the men earning a third-place finish at the Joe Piane Invitational hosted by Notre Dame.
The Wolfpack women came out on top of the 20 team field, finishing first with 39 points. Fifth-year Hannah Gapes made her season debut in dominant fashion, capturing the individual title in the women's 5k with a time of 15:22.6. Gapes shattered her personal best in the event and crossed the finish line 12.8 seconds ahead of the runner-up.
NC State placed four runners in the top 10, with Bethany Michalak finishing seventh in 15:57.8, Angelina Napoleon taking eighth in 16:01.9, and Brooke Rauber rounding out the top 10 in 16:06.6.
On the men's side, the Wolfpack finished third out of 18 teams in the 8k with 110 points. Philip Blum led the Pack individually, placing seventh with a time of 23:21.0. Noah Valyo followed in 14th at 23:35.6, while freshman Asher Oates finished 18th in 23:42.4.
Top-10 finishers:Â1st | Hannah Gapes | Women's 5k | 15:22.6
7th | Bethany Michalak | Women's 5k | 15:57.8
8th | Angelina Napoleon | Women's 5k | 16:01.9
10th | Brooke Rauber | Women's 5k | 16:06.6
7th | Philip Blum | Men's 8k | 23:21.0
Up Next: The Wolfpack will turn its attention to the final regular-season meet of the season, traveling to Terre Haute for Pre-Nationals on Friday, October 16 at 10:30 a.m.
#GoPack | #WolfpackXC
