Ellen Mary Kearney and No. 2 Milligan Women’s XC claim AAC titles

COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 4, 2022) – The No. 2 Milligan University women's cross country team captured the program's 17th Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) title as Ellen Mary Kearney was crowned the individual conference champion at the AAC cross country championships on Friday morning.

The Buffs swept the top three individual spots in the race and placed six runners inside the top 10 to win with a team score of 21. No. 16 Montreat finished second with 49 points. Milligan posted a total team time of 90:47. Milligan's men also won the AAC title, making it the third-straight men's and women's sweep at the AAC Championships.

"Obviously, I'm extremely proud of and so happy for both programs," said head coach Chris Layne. "Two really talented teams that competed hard today and that's what we wanted. We were looking for this effort to set us up well for two weeks from now and it should."

Kearney topped the 108-woman 5k at Par Tee Golf Center in 17:28 to win the AAC title. In addition to AAC champion status, Kearney was tabbed as the AAC Runner of the Year and AAC Freshman of the Year.

"Can't say enough about Ellen Mary and her composure thus far and she has a group of girls around her that continue to take steps," said Layne. "I look forward to this bunch getting on an even playing field with the rest of the national field. It's going to be a competitive championship in Tallahassee."

Caitlin Dominy was the AAC runner-up in 17:59 and Alyssa Bearzi finished third in 18:08.

Lizzy Lucason and Olivia Doran rounded out Milligan's scoring five. Lucason ran 18:29 to finish seventh and Doran followed at 18:41 in eighth.

Gracie Allen made it six Buffs under 19 minutes as crossed 10th in 18:56. Sophia Jeffers (22nd) finished in 19:36 and both Natalie Fellers (23rd) and Anna Jones (24th) ran 19:37. Ashlyn Haas was 25th in 19:40.

Kearney, Dominy, Bearzi and Lucason earned All-AAC First Team laurels. Doran and Allen received All-AAC Second Team honors. Kearney, Lucason, Doran, Jeffers and Haas were named to the AAC All-Freshman Team. Layne was honored as the AAC Women's Coach of the Year for the 17th time.

The 2022 AAC title marks the third-straight conference crown for the Buffs and secures the 20th-consecutive trip to the NAIA National Championships for Milligan women's cross country. The 2022 NAIA National Championships are set for Nov. 18 in Tallahassee, Fla. The Buffs captured the 2021 NAIA national title in women's cross country last fall.