WASHINGTON – For the seventh time in program history, the Georgetown University women's cross country team sits atop the BIG EAST Conference, winning the team title as well as the individual title as Maggie Donahue outkicked Villanova's Lydia Oliviere over the final strides to take the win and ink her name in the record books. Donahue becomes the fifth Hoya in program history to win the individual title. The No. 26 women took the title tallying 65 points while the No. 27 GU men were the runners-up with 49 points, with the hosts Butler University Bulldogs defending their title from a season ago.

ON THE RECORD  WITH ALTON McKENZIE
"What an amazing day of competing for the Hoyas. Our men ran exceptionally well and have nothing to hang their heads about. Four in the top 11 and finishing as runners up certainly is a tremendous accomplishment. Our women defending their title and repeating as conference champions - what else is there to say?! Maggie's effort to close and win the individual title is symbolic of how the entire time competed. Truly an outstanding team effort. Thankful to have amazing coaches on staff as well - Coach Bonsey leading the men, Coach Baker with the women and Coach Levermore assisting both - it's a really proud day to be a Hoya" - Director of Track & Field / Cross Country Alton McKenzie
 
ON THE RECORD WITH MITCHELL BAKER
"A championship always brings with it an extra energy and meaning, so we were excited despite weathering a great deal as a team this season. Baylee Jones lost her shoe in the first 500m which didn't seem like the start we needed, but she finished 13th - just an unbelievable run on a very muddy course with a bare foot. Maggie Donahue hung tough in a strong group of front runners to finish like she did against a high quality opponent. The whole squad took steps forward, put everything they had on the line, contributed to this championship, and we all felt the energy of the team back on the Hilltop. The competition and coaching in the conference is top-notch, so a win against any of these teams is huge. To come out on top means so much to the women; they are inspired by our alumni, so we hope we've made them proud." - Women's Distance Coach Mitchell Baker
 
BACK-TO-BACK BIG EAST TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS - No. 26 WOMEN (1st of 11, 65 points) - 6,000 METERS

• With a hefty kick over the final meters of the race, Maggie Donahue found another gear and passed Villanova's Lydia Oliviere on the right as she claimed the individual title, moving up five spots over the last 1,000 meters from sixth to first. She clocked 20:47.8 in the win, leading the Hoyas as they put four of their top five among the top 15.
• Sami Corman, the 2020 BIG EAST Champion, was the second Hoya to cross the finish line as she clocked 21:02.6 over 6K. Joining Corman among the top 15 were Kiera Bothwell (10th) and Baylee Jones (13th) while Katie Dammer rounded out the GU point scorers.
• With Donahue's big push and the rest of the team keeping a tight pack, the Blue & Gray surged ahead of the hosts, No. 29 Butler, with a score of 65 points while the Bulldogs tallied 67.
• The 2021 season marks the third time the Hoyas have won both the individual and team title and the second time in as many seasons.
• Georgetown joins Villanova and Providence as the only schools to ever win back-to-back women's team and individual BIG EAST titles.
• GU Results: 1. Maggie Donahue, 20:47.8 (1)*; 6. Sami Corman, 21:02.6 (6)*; 10. Kiera Bothwell, 21:08.8 (10)*; 13. Baylee Jones, 21:14.2 (13)**; 35. Katie Dammer, 22:35.7 (35); 40. Rachel Sessa, 22:54.5; 46. Julia Trethaway, 23:05.6; 49. Katherine Modrall, 23:12.1; 65. Mary Hennelly, 23:59.4
• Team Results: 1. No. 26 Georgetown (65); 2. No. 29 Butler (67); 3. UConn (70); 4. Villanova (80); 5. No. 14 Providence (82); 6. Marquette (186); 7. Xavier (216); 8. DePaul (220); 9. Creighton (248); 10. St. John's (289); 11. Seton Hall (313)

 
ON THE RECORD WITH BRANDON BONSEY
"I thought the men ran by far their best race of the season. The BIG EAST is a great cross country conference so six in the top 14 and seven in the top 19 is big time running. We got beat by a great Butler team and I'm proud of how we competed. Price Owens stepped up big time for us today. I think we are starting to peak at the right time and our depth will serve us well at the regionals and NCAA meets." - Head Men's Cross Country Coach Brandon Bonsey
 
BIG EAST RUNNERS-UP - No. 27 MEN (2nd of 9, 49 points) - 8,000 METERS

• Parker Stokes was the top finisher for the Hoyas as he led a quintet of Hoyas in the top 13 of the 8K race. Stokes clocked 24:26.5. He was followed by Price Owens in seventh (24:31.1) in his best outing of the season.
• Quinn Nicholson (11th) led a quartet of Hoyas crossing the finish line together as Sean Laidlaw (12th), Shea Weilbaker (13th) and Jack Salisbury (14th) all finished together, within 15 seconds of one another.
• The Hoyas showed their depth with its top seven runners all finishing among the top 20. GU had more runners in the top 20 than any other squad, besting Butler (6), Villanova (5) and Providence (2).
• GU Results: 6. Parker Stokes, 24:26.5 (6)*; 7. Price Owens, 24:31.1 (7)*; 11. Quinn NIcholson, 24:35.9 (11)**; 12. Sean Laidlaw, 24:43.6 (12)**; 13. Shea Weilbaker, 24:47.8 (13)**; 14. Jack Salisbury, 24:50.4**; 19. Camden Gilmore, 25:00.2; 25**; Matt Young, 25:30.2; 38. Rusty Kujdych, 26:17.3; 40. Matthew Payamps, 26:21.6
• Team Results: 1. Butler (35); 2. No. 27 Georgetown (49); 3. No. 24 Villanova (63); 4. Providence (85); 5. DePaul (174); 6. Marquette (178); 7. Xavier (196); 8. Creighton (206); 9. Seton Hall (285)

 
* denotes All-BIG EAST First Team ** denotes All-BIG EAST Second Team
 
UP NEXT
Both squads will rest up before heading to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on November 12. The meet is hosted by Lehigh University and will be run at the Goodman Course. The meet serves as a precursor to the NCAA Championships with the top two teams from each region receiving an automatic berth to the national meet.
 
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