MECHANICSVILLE, Va. – Junior Mia Winters was at the front of the Bonnies pack Saturday morning at the Atlantic 10 Championships run at Pole Green Park.

Winters ran a 6K time of 22:15.7, easily the best of her career in the conference championship meet. Last year outside Dayton at Elvin R. King Cross Country Course, she timed in at 22:58.7.

In Saturday's meet, Winters placed 74^th out of 136 competitors.

Two freshmen were next in line for the Bonnies as Miranda Habshi (23:22.1) and Madison McMahon (23:24.1) were right next to each other at the finish stripe.

For McMahon, it was a new PR as she bested the mark of 23:55 she posted earlier in the year at Lock Haven. She jumps to 13^th individually in program history with her run Saturday.

Junior Molly Gipson also turned in a new personal best as she clocked in at 23:39.5, beating her previous PR by 10 seconds set in last year's Gettysburg Invitational. She stands 15^th in the program record book.

With their efforts this season, Winters and Habshi have qualified for the NCAA Northeast Regional meet scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15 in New Hampshire.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH BOB MACFARLANE
"The season was marked by significant development among our younger runners, who showed remarkable improvement in their skills and confidence throughout the year. To have two freshmen, Maddie McMahon, PR today and Miranda Habshi, qualify for the championship meet and be in our top-five throughout the season is a credit to their skill sets."

"Although the championship season didn't go as we had hoped, the team faced adversity with resilience and determination with two of our top-five runners not competing most of the season due to non-running issues, putting much pressure on our younger ladies. Despite the challenges, including tough competition and unforeseen setbacks, the athletes maintained a strong performance. Many runners achieved personal bests, showcasing their hard work and dedication. One example of this was Mia Winters, who in high school was running the 5K in the mid 22-minute range, now she running the 6K in the high 21 range, consistently proving she is our number 1 runner on the team."

"The experience gained this season, particularly in navigating difficulties, will be invaluable for their growth moving forward. Other juniors, Molly Gipson with a PR today and Faith Caldwell and Katelyn Wilkes, a sophomore, are stepping up and improving. Half of our runners this season had their personal best. Overall, while the championship results were not what we hoped for, the progress and spirit of the team were commendable."

BONNIES RESULTS
74. Mia Winters – 22:15.7
116. Miranda Habshi – 23:22.1
117. Madison McMahon – 23:24.1 (PR)
121. Katelyn Wilkes – 23:33.2
123. Molly Gipson – 23:39.5 (PR)
132. Faith Caldwell – 24:13.5
133. Claire Cuneo – 24:17.8
135. Jayne Gavin – 24:39.5

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