Maharishi International University will make its first-ever appearance at a USCAA National Championship this week when women’s cross country student-athlete Giu Ricciotti competes at the 2026 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Cross Country National Championship, held November 6-7 at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, in Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania.
Ricciotti’s participation marks the first time in MIU Athletics history that a student-athlete from any sport has qualified for a USCAA National Championship.
A transfer student-athlete, Ricciotti competes in two sports for MIU, running cross country while also serving as one of the top players on the Pioneer women’s soccer team. She narrowly missed qualifying for nationals last season, making this year’s berth especially meaningful.
“I’m really happy for this opportunity,” Ricciotti said. “Last year, I trained really hard but ended up missing Nationals by a very small margin. It was a difficult experience for me at the time for several reasons. This year, I feel more confident and more at ease going into the competition. I believe a lot of that comes from MIU’s philosophy. I’m excited to put into practice everything I’ve worked on during these past several months.”
Ricciotti said her preparation heading into the championship has focused as much on the mental side of racing as the physical.
“Running has always been something I’ve enjoyed. My preparation has been more mental than physical,” she said. “I saw that the course is hilly, which can be very tiring on the legs, so I think the mental side of the race will make a big difference.”
Head Coach Rafael Muniz, in his first year overseeing both women’s soccer and cross country at MIU, said he has watched Ricciotti’s dedication up close all season.
“I’m incredibly proud of Giu and the dedication she has shown throughout this season,” Muniz said. “I’ve had the opportunity to see her commitment at every practice, and seeing her earn this opportunity is very rewarding. This is a historic moment for MIU Athletics, and I’m excited to support her as she represents our university on the national stage.”
Muniz will personally drive from Fairfield, Iowa, to Pennsylvania to accompany Ricciotti at the championship.
MIU Athletics is currently recruiting for upcoming cross country seasons and is also seeking community partners and business sponsors interested in supporting the program. Those interested can contact Coach Muniz at rafaelde.araujo@miu.edu.
