Following a dominant display at the 2022 Championships in Aveiro, Portugal, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are current reigning champions.
The GB Students delegation is sanctioned by BUCS as National University Sports Federation for the UK of GB & NI, one of only three countries to have competed in all editions of the FISU World University Cross Country Championships since it began in 1978.
Tom Craggs, England Athletics National Endurance Manager (Off-Track) said: “England Athletics are delighted to have worked in close partnership with BUCS and the other Home Country Athletics Federations to select such a strong team to compete for GB Students at the World University Cross Country Championships. The strength of the team and the competitive selection process demonstrates the importance of GB Students representation in the development of future world class athletes. The Championships in Muscat will provide a fantastic opportunity for the athletes and team staff to build further international team experience against some of the best young endurance athletes from across the globe. Huge congratulations to the athletes, their coaches and their academic institutions. We look forward to more excellent partnership working with BUCS for GB Students as we look ahead to the Summer World University Games in 2025.”
The GB Students delegation in full:
Women’s Short Course
Beth Morley (Loughborough University) - After winning the Women's 4km trial at the London International XC guaranteed selection for Beth, following her win in the short course race at the 2023 BUCS Cross Country Championships and BUCS Indoor 1500m gold. She recently finished fifth in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Tia Wilson (Loughborough University) - Tia’s second place at the London International XC trial ensured her automatic selection after excellent performances at the Liverpool Cross Challenge and the European Cross Country Championships. She recently finished ninth in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Emily Parker (Loughborough University) - Emily is selected after a strong season running the second fastest junior leg at the Mansfield Relays, finishing seventh U20 at the Liverpool Cross Challenge and fourth at the 4km race at the London International XC. She recently finished ninth in the short course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Elsa Palmer (University of Birmingham) - As BUCS indoor 3000m champion, Elsa gains selection after a fifth place finish over 4k at the London International XC. She recently finished 12th in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Men’s Short Course
Alex Melloy (Loughborough University) - Alex is selected after winning the 4km trial at the London International XC. He arrives in excellent form after setting PBs of 8:10.78 for 3000m and 29:37 for 10k in recent weeks.
Tyler Bilyard (University of Birmingham) - Tyler is the BUCS Indoor 1500m champion and finished fourth at the 2023 UK Indoor champs over 1500m. He is selected after finishing fifth in the 4km race at London International XC. Tyler recently finished 16th in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Rowan Miell-Ingram (Loughborough University) - A silver medallist in the 2023 short course race at the BUCS Cross Country Championships, Rowan is selected after finishing third in the 4km race at the London International XC. He recently finished 15th in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Luca Minale (Northumbria University) - Luca was a steeplechase finalist at the European U23 Championships in 2023 and gains selection after a strong sixth place finish at the 4km race at the London International XC. He recently finished 34th in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Women’s Long Course
Phoebe Barker (University of Cambridge) - Phoebe Barker gains automatic selection after winning the long course trial at the London International XC. She recently finished a brilliant second in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Nancy Scott (University of Cambridge) - Nancy gains selection following excellent recent form including 33:10 over 10k and second at the British Cross Challenge in Scotland.
Alice Goodall (University of Edinburgh) - A blistering 32:04 10k PB in Valencia and European U23 10km gold sees Alice selected after a fine eighth place at the London International XC.
Charlotte Alexander (University of Birmingham) - A recent 33:55 10km PB and a strong performance at the Liverpool Cross Challenge combined with 15th at the London International XC over 10k ensured selection. Charlotte was recently crowned women’s short race champion at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Men’s Long Course
Jeremy Dempsey (University of Cambridge) - Gained automatic selection as the winner of the long course trial at the London International XC. Jeremy was also a BUCS 1500m silver medallist and bronze medallist in the BUCS Indoor Championships over 3000m in 2023. He recently finished fourth in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Tomer Tarragano (University of Birmingham) - Tomer gained the second automatic spot from the long course trial race. An excellent 2023 saw Tomer finish 27th at the European U23 Cross Country Championships and fifth at the BUCS Cross Country Championships. The current BUCS 10,000m Champion recently grabbed a stylish silver in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Sam Hodgson (Loughborough University) - Sam finished 25th at the European U20 Cross Country Championships. He also finished on the podium in the Cardiff and Liverpool Cross Challenge races, before most recently finishing 26th in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
Louis Small (Loughborough University) - Louis' strong 15th place finish at the London International XC capped an excellent season, also stepping on the podium at Cardiff and Liverpool Cross Challenge races and 29th at the U20 European Cross Country Championships. Louis recently finished sixth in the long course race at the 2024 BUCS Cross Country Championships.
The GB Students delegation will also compete within the Relay Mixed Short Course.
