Connor Kakowski, Staff Writer

The Immaculata Cross Country has completed another successful season with the men’s team earning runner up in the Division III Atlantic East Conference Championship and the women’s team earning fourth place. The season brought lots of personal records for the team and the future looks bright. Head coach David Smith offered some thoughts on his first season of coaching the Mighty Macs. “All right, we had a great season accomplished over goals. Runners ran well and everything developed and improved. Which as a runner and a person is what I like to see. Can’t wait to see this upcoming track season and what’s in store for next season.”

The men’s team was led by junior Ivan Zavala- Zavala, sophomore Connor Kakowski, and freshman Liam Stigora in the 8k. At the conference championship Zavala- Zavala placed ninth overall with a time of 27:46, Kakowski followed in fifteenth overall with a time of 30:19, and Stigora who finished in sixteenth with a time of 31:16. This helped lead the Mighty Macs to receiving runner up for the second year in a row. 

On the woman’s side, they were led by freshman Aubrey Donahue who finished first overall with a time of 24:45 in the 6k. Donahue was also named the 2023 Atlantic East Conference Rookie of the Year, and the Atlantic East Conference Runner of the Year. Donahue shared her thoughts on the season and what she wants to see next season. “With this being my first year of college cross country, I highly enjoyed getting to meet my new teammates, experience larger races, and increase my weekly mileage. Next year, I hope to continue improving upon my times and working on becoming stronger overall.”   

The Mighty Macs have three graduating seniors this year Olivia Morris, Kate DeHaven, and Nick Speakman-Viggiano. Morris shared her thoughts on a successful four years with the team. “It was a great four years with this team and I will miss every moment of it, especially my teammates because we have become such good friends outside of the sport and going to practice everyday made me enjoy running.”

The team heads into the offseason with much to be proud and a lot to be excited for in the years to come. One of the goals for the team was to be aggressive and improve every race and that is something that was definitely accomplished. 

All timing statistics came from TFRRS.org

***Note – Atlantic East statistics are subject to frequent change