Ellen Mary Kearney honored as NAIA National Runner of the Week

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (September 6, 2023) – Milligan University sophomore Ellen Mary Kearney has been named the NAIA National Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week after a top-five finish at Appalachian State's Firetower Project Run last week.

Kearney finished third in a field of 108 runners with a 5k time of 17:48, finishing only behind the top runners for NCAA Division I Florida State and Mercer. Kearney was joined in the top five by teammate Caitlin Dominy, who placed fourth in 17:57.

The Buffs finished third of 10 teams at the meet, only behind Florida State and host Appalachian State.

Kearney's selection marks the second-straight year a Buff has taken home NAIA Runner of the Week honors in the opening week. Last fall Dominy collected the honor for her effort at Appalachian State. Kearney becomes the fourth women's cross country runner to receive national weekly applause following in the footsteps of Dominy, Lemi Wutz and Hannah Segrave.

The Buffs return to action next week at Virginia Tech's Alumni Invitational.