NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Saint Joseph's College of Maine women's cross country team placed third overall at the 2025 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship, hosted by Norwich University on Saturday afternoon. The Monks posted a team score of 68 points with an average time of 25:38, marking one of the program's strongest GNAC Championship finishes in recent history.

"Our women have battled all season. Their commitment to challenging and supporting one another has elevated our program and positioned us to compete with the top teams in our conference. Our only senior Alexia Young has been instrumental in shaping this team's success and setting the course for what's possible in the future." said Head Coach Mike Burleson.

NEED TO KNOW:
Last season, the Monks placed ninth at the GNAC Championship, competing with one of the youngest rosters in the conference. One year later, Saint Joseph's arrived with greater depth, improved pack running, and three rookie athletes inside the scoring top five.

Freshman Amber Pendleton (Warren, Maine) led the charge with a 6th-place finish, to claim GNAC Rookie of the Year. The Rookie was followed closely by sophomore Haley Williams (Winthrop, Maine) and junior Meghan Cyr (Hampden, Maine), giving the Monks three runners inside the top 10 for the first time in nearly a decade.

The performance highlighted both current strength and future championship potential.

THE RUNDOWN:
Emmanuel and Colby-Sawyer battled at the front throughout, with Emmanuel ultimately taking the GNAC title. Saint Joseph's and Norwich finished tied at 68 points, but the Monks earned the podium placement via the tiebreaker, securing 3rd place out of nine teams.
Team Results (Top 5):

• 1st – Emmanuel (Mass.) – 55 points
• 2nd – Colby-Sawyer – 59 points
• 3rd – Saint Joseph's (Me.) – 68 points (won tiebreaker)
• 4th – Norwich – 68 points
• 5th – Simmons – 125 points

TOP FINISHERS:

• 1st – Adriana Nadeau (Colby-Sawyer) – 24:05
• 2nd – Jaden Johnson (Simmons) – 24:09
• 3rd – Leah O'Neill (Colby-Sawyer) – 24:16

FOR THE MONKS:

• Freshman, Amber Pendleton (Warren, Maine) – 6th, 24:53
• Sophomore, Haley Williams (Winthrop, Maine) – 7th, 25:02
• Junior, Meghan Cyr (Hampden, Maine) – 9th, 25:10
• Freshman, Isabella Anderson (Appleton, Maine) – 21st, 26:06
• Senior, Alexia Young (Rochester, N.H.) – 28th, 27:02
• Sophomore, Olivia Bean (South Portland, Maine) – 31st, 27:13
• Sophomore, Bella Koepsell (Falmouth, Maine) – 39th, 28:35
• Sophomore, Kiley Webber (Freeport, Maine) – 55th, 32:20
• Sophomore, Madalyn Guindon (Saco, Maine) – 58th, 32:44
• Freshman, Katherine Hawkes (Harpswell, Maine) – 64th, 34:32

UP NEXT!
The Monks will travel to the NCAA Division III East Regional Championship on Saturday, November 15.