SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After qualifying for the 2024 NCAA Division II Men's Cross Country National Championships as an individual qualifier, Christian Giller turned in a program best finish of 41^st place out of 262 runners in the 53-degree rain drenched course at the Arcade Creek Cross Country Course.

"Pain, that's it," Giller stated after the race. "Lots and lots of pain. Pain for all that I accomplished and pain for the bit that didn't quite go my way. I can't believe where I've come and can only hope the entire squad will make the trip in 2025! Nattys, here we come!"
 
Christian Giller, a junior from Brandon, Fla., bested his personal best 10K time as well as the program best finish on the 10K time of 30:31.3. His time Saturday was over 20-seconds faster than the 2006 record from Eric Walker's time of 30:58.1, which served as the program's overall 10K fastest time and the best time at the NCAA Championship race.

"Cross Country is such a unique sport, every team and every runner going head-to-head," said head coach Matt Levassiur. "Christian showed that he's among the best DII distance runners, without a doubt. To say that I am proud and hopeful and a bit crushed that he didn't quite get Florida Southern Cross Country's first All-American honor would be an understatement. Christian dedicates his life to being a student-athlete and represents what it means to be a Moc!"
 
Giller came out of the gates with the lead pack and was 16^th through the 1K check point (2:51.1) before holding 32^nd place at the 5.4k check (16:04.4). He finished the through the tough conditions in 30:31.3 which was good enough for 41^st place.
 
As one of two Sunshine State Conference runners at the championship, Giller finished 141 spots ahead of Palm Beach Atlantic's Pierre Mercier (31:43.8). As a regional representative, Giller was the second South Region runner to cross the line, trailing just Alabama-Huntsville's Sam Wilhelm who finished in 23^rd at 30:11.8).