MECHANICSVILLE, VA – Freshman Emily Simko and junior Declan McDonnell earned All-CAA honors for their top-15 finishes at the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Cross Country Championships on Friday morning at Pole Green State Park.

McDonnell was the top finisher for Monmouth with a time of 24:34.6 in the 8k championship race – good enough for seventh place overall and his first career All-CAA honors.

Seb Reed (24:05.8) and Tennessee Tremain (25:27.3) landed inside the top 25 and helped the Hawks finish in fourth place overall with 107 total points.
 
In the 6k race, freshman Emily Simko led the women's squad with a time of 21:44.5 and was recognized as All-CAA, as well. Marisa Kilgarriff (21:59.5), Allie Pierontoni (21:49.7), and Ashley Navarro (22:02.4) all placed inside the top 25 for Monmouth who finished in fifth place with 112 points.

TOP FINISHERS
Men's Top Seven Finishers
7. Declan McDonnell (24:34.6)
17. Seb Reed (24:05.8)
22. Tennessee Tremain (25:27.3)
28. Cameron Janovic (2:47.6)
33. Aidan Gilmore (26:11.3)
35. Niko Ferrante (26:25.8)
37. Luke Riley (26:39.6)

Women's Top Seven Finishers
13. Emily Simko (21:44.5)
20. Marisa Kilgarriff (21:59.5)
21. Allie Pierontoni (21:59.7)
23. Ashley Navarro (22:02.4)
35. Ellie Keefer (22:28.5)
44. Brianna Jucewicz (23:05.2)
52. Sydney Todd (23:24.5)
 
QUOTES
"Overall, we were really pleased with the team's results today at the CAA Championships. This was our best meet of the season. Emily Simko and Declan McDonnell raced smart and tough to earn All-CAA honors. 
 
It was very warm today and we instructed the runners to go out cautiously. They executed the race plan perfectly and we moved up throughout the races. One of our goals was to score less points than we did last year and we accomplished that goal. The women improved by 38 points and the men improved by 10 points. This meet will help us build our confidence as we move on to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional meet. Thanks to all the family and friends who came out to cheer on the Hawks!" - Director of Track and Field/Cross Country and Head Coach Mike Nelson

UP NEXT
The Hawks will run next at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals at the Paul Short XC Course in Bethlehem, Pa. on Friday, November 10.