Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder
10/27/2026 2:01:00 PM | Women's Cross Country
LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Orange & Blue runners had a final tune-up at the Bucknell Open last Friday before the Patriot League Championships and the Bison harriers completely owned the event. The conference voters took notice and christened the Bison with both weekly awards, as announced Tuesday by the league office. Shaelan McNally landed Patriot League Runner of the Week and Chesnee Smith earned Patriot League Rookie of the Week. It is McNally's fourth Runner of the Week award and the first weekly award for Smith.
McNally's four Runner of the Week awards tied her with Christine Bendzinski and Kate Scott for most in Bucknell history.Â
McNally, healthy again after a summer injury sidelined her in the early fall, flew past her competition in the 4k loop race. She clocked 13:34.00, which was nearly a minute faster than the second place runner. The junior runner was the runner-up at the 2025 Patriot League Championships.Â
"She is starting to het her fitness and confidence back after missing most of July and August due to an injury," head coach Kevin Donner said. "This race should give her some confidence to be near the front next week."
Smith developed nicely during her rookie season and, if she doesn't make the league roster, she ended her 2026 campaign on a high note. The newcomer won the 6k race, registering 22:54.20.Â
"She ran a very nice 6k race in what may be her last cross country race of the season, and she has a great future ahead of her, and we cannot wait for track season where she excels as a middle distance runner," Donner said.Â
Bucknell hosts the Patriot League Championships this Saturday. The starting gun for the women's race fires at 11 a.m.
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McNally's four Runner of the Week awards tied her with Christine Bendzinski and Kate Scott for most in Bucknell history.Â
McNally, healthy again after a summer injury sidelined her in the early fall, flew past her competition in the 4k loop race. She clocked 13:34.00, which was nearly a minute faster than the second place runner. The junior runner was the runner-up at the 2025 Patriot League Championships.Â
"She is starting to het her fitness and confidence back after missing most of July and August due to an injury," head coach Kevin Donner said. "This race should give her some confidence to be near the front next week."
Smith developed nicely during her rookie season and, if she doesn't make the league roster, she ended her 2026 campaign on a high note. The newcomer won the 6k race, registering 22:54.20.Â
"She ran a very nice 6k race in what may be her last cross country race of the season, and she has a great future ahead of her, and we cannot wait for track season where she excels as a middle distance runner," Donner said.Â
Bucknell hosts the Patriot League Championships this Saturday. The starting gun for the women's race fires at 11 a.m.
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
Wednesday, October 28
Tuesday, October 27
Sunday, October 25
Sunday, October 25