TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Aoibhe Richardson accomplished Saturday what she set out to do when she came to the University of San Francisco this summer – becoming an All-American for the first time in her career with a 19th-place finish at the 2019 NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championship at the LaVerne Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
 
Richardson finished the 6-kilometer championship race in 20 minutes, 30.1 seconds, to finish among the top-20. She was the No. 5 individual participant (not on a full team) to finish, and the top individual from the West Region. Her 19th-place finish is the highest for any USF cross country runner, male or female, since 2017.

"Aoibhe ran an incredibly poised race yet again today," said San Francisco Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Pat McCurry. "Her experience and level-headedness showed through. So proud of the way she's represented our program."
 
Just over a mile into the race, Richardson sat in 36th place – just inside the All-American cutoff of the top-40. But over the next mile-plus, she would move herself up 17 places to settle into the top-20, a strategy she used all season long to the tune of two victories and five total top-five finishes.
 
"I'm over the moon to be able to deliver an All-American performance for USF and cap off an incredibly fun first cross country season as a Don," said Richardson.

San Francisco last had an All-American when it boasted three in 2017 on its West Coast Conference and West Region championship squad that finished runner-up at the national championship.