Shaelan McNally Wins Patriot League Women's Runner of the Week and Bison of the Week
9/3/2025 11:02:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell women's cross country runner Shaelan McNally christened her sophomore season in exhilarating fashion by winning her first Patriot League Women's Runner of the Week and Bison of the Week awards as announced Wednesday by the league office and Bucknell Athletics department.Â
McNally dominated the Lehigh Open last Friday, running a career-best 21:06.3 in the 6k to win the competition and lead the Bison to victory over six teams, including the 2024 national runners-up West Virginia.Â
The sophomore runner finished 27.3 seconds ahead of second-place and teammate Caryn Rippey. The top four spots went to Bucknell runners - a sign of the Orange & Blue's overwhelming advantage.Â
"I have always used the old Al Maguire quote that "the best part about coaching freshmen is when they become sophomores," said Bucknell head coach Kevin Donner. "Shaelan obviously had a great resume from her senior year of high school coming in as a freshman, but faced many mental and physical obstacles as a freshman as last year. There were a few pretty good races but there were also inconsistency. She had a great summer and so far she looks great in practice and, of course, she ran very well this past weekend. Her demeanor seems much more confident right now and she is now aware of what she needs to do to be consistent al year. I believe she is mentally much stronger and, of course, she is very fit."Â
McNally is no stranger to opening day meet victories. Last year, she set a course record as part of her triumph at the 2024 Father Bede Invitational.Â
The Lehigh course will host the 2025 Patriot League Championships and the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals. McNally's experience last Friday should serve her well in the two haymaker meets.Â
McNally became the first Bucknell women's cross country runner since Ashlyn Ramos on Nov. 14, 2021, to win Bison of the Week.
Bucknell cross country returns to action on Sept. 13 at the Jasper Invitational hosted by Manhattan University.Â
Â
Players Mentioned
