Kearney collects AAC Runner of the Week honors for third time

WALESKA, Ga. (October 24, 2022) – Milligan University freshman Ellen Mary Kearney received Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week honors for the third time this season, the conference office announced on Monday.

Kearney improved upon her personal best cross country 5k time with a 17:21 effort at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge on Friday morning. She finished second overall in the 120-woman field as No. 1 Milligan had four of the top 11 finishers on the day.

The No. 1 Buffs won the meet title with a team score of 37, nearly 50 points ahead of No. 16 William Carey and No. 18 Montreat.

Alyssa Bearzi finished third in 17:52 and Caitlin Dominy crossed the finish line at 18:00 to earn fourth place. Lizzy Lucason checked in at 11th (18:29) and Gracie Allen turned in a season-best 5k time of 19:17 to finish 18th.

Kearney has earned AAC Runner of the Week laurels for all three of her outings this fall. She has finished inside the top five in all three events with sub-18 minute times. Her personal best of 17:21 at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge ranks third in Milligan women's cross country history.

Milligan looks to win its 17th AAC women's cross country championship on Nov. 5 in Columbia, S.C.