Milligan Runs Away With Women's Cross Country Title

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Claiming the top four individual spots, Milligan secured the 2023 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Cross Country championship on Friday.

The 6K race was held at Sequoyah Park in Knoxville, Tenn.

Five Buffaloes finished the in the top seven, giving them a winning score of 17 points. Montreat had runners finish fifth and sixth in tallying 42 points to claim second place.

Columbia (122), Truett McConnell (146), and SCAD Atlanta (157) round out the top five in the team competition.

For the second year in a row, Ellen Mary Kearney of Milligan won the race. The sophomore finished with a time of 20:55.6. She crossed the line nearly 20 seconds faster than second-place and teammate Caitlin Dominy.

By virtue of winning the race, Kearney is the Runner of the Year. Joining her on the All-AAC First Team are Dominy, Hannah Brown of Milligan, Zanelle Willemse of Milligan, Ali Ray of Montreat, Mahaley Cronk of Montreat, and Gracie Allen of Milligan.

Earning All-AAC Second Team honors are Avery Raymond of SCAD Atlanta, Catherine Slack of Montreat, Carlyn Bobo of Montreat, Patricia Barrera of Milligan, Kilia Hasty of Montreat, Natalie Fellers of Milligan, and Yessenia Castellanos of Montreat.

Raymond is the Freshman of the Year as she was the highest-placing freshman. Joining her on the All-Freshman Team are Bobo, Macy Parks of Montreat, Akin Averia of Brenau, Carly Fuel of Columbia, Addison Martin of Columbia, and Natalie Nieto of Montreat.

The Milligan coaching staff was named the Staff of the Year.

For complete results, click here.