NEW ORLEANS, La. - On Thursday evening, the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) revealed that Milligan University's Ellen-Mary Kearney (South Region Athlete of the Year) and Chris Layne (South Region Women's Coach of the Year) earned accolades from the association for their efforts during the 2025 cross country season.

Kearney has had a massive campaign, winning three events as an individual, including the Appalachian Athletics Conference (AAC) Championships in Knoxville last weekend, while posting the fastest time ever recorded by an NAIA women's runner at 19:59.0. 

For Layne, it is another great year for the women's cross country squad, as they are ranked at No. 2 in the nation and won their sixth straight conference title and are looking to earn their second all-time team national championship, with their first having come in 2021.

Click HERE to read the release at USTFCCCA.org.