LATHAM, N.Y. – The United East Conference announced its 2026 Women's Cross Country All-Conference Teams and Major Award winners following the conclusion of the conference championship on Saturday, October 31. A total of 24 student-athletes earned All-Conference recognition, with eight runners selected to each of the First, Second, and Third Teams based on their individual finishes at the championship meet.

Cedar Crest College's Ryley Schwalm was named Runner of the Year after capturing the individual championship, while Penn State Berks' Madelyn Holbrook earned Rookie of the Year honors. St. Mary's College of Maryland was recognized as the Coaching Staff of the Year after guiding the Seahawks to the conference championship.
Cedar Crest College senior Ryley Schwalm earned United East Runner of the Year honors after capturing the individual title at the 2026 United East Women's Cross Country Championship. Schwalm dominated the 6K race, crossing the finish line in 22:11.3 to claim first place by more than a minute over the next closest competitor. Her remarkable performance established a new championship record, while helping the Falcons secure a second-place team finish with 63 points, just one point behind conference champion St. Mary's College of Maryland.

Penn State Berks freshman Madelyn Holbrook earned United East Rookie of the Year honors following an impressive performance at the 2026 United East Women's Cross Country Championship. Holbrook was the first freshman to cross the finish line, completing the 6K course in 24:03.0 to place fifth overall among the 68 competitors. Her performance earned her First Team All-Conference recognition and helped Penn State Berks secure a fifth-place team finish with 115 points.

The St. Mary's College of Maryland women's cross country coaching staff earned United East Coaching Staff of the Year honors, led by head coach Reava Potter, after guiding the Seahawks to the 2026 United East Women's Cross Country Championship. In one of the closest team races of the championship, St. Mary's edged Cedar Crest College by a single point, finishing with 62 points to the Falcons' 63. The Seahawks showcased their depth throughout the 6K race, placing five runners among the top 19 finishers, led by junior Ella Mitchell, who earned runner-up honors with a time of 23:19.2. Maggie Tsambikos (13th), Avery Arizzi (14th), Madison Kingsley (18th), and Weiya Carter (19th) rounded out the Seahawks' scoring five, helping St. Mary's secure the conference crown.

Check out all of the All-Conference honorees below:

FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE

Runner	School	Time
Ryley Schwalm	Cedar Crest College	22:11.3
Ella Mitchell	St. Mary's College of Maryland	23:19.2
MaKayla Reichel	Penn State Harrisburg	23:26.8
Clarisse Hayden	Cairn University	23:51.1
Madelyn Holbrook	Penn State Berks	24:03.0
Seana Dougherty	Lancaster Bible College	24:22.1
Cadee Cameron	Lancaster Bible College	24:49.0
Giada Smith	Cedar Crest College	24:55.5

SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE

Runner	School	Time
Brianna Strittmatter	Penn State Berks	25:41.0
Elaina Brady	Penn College	25:53.6
Amy Rohl	Penn College	26:17.7
Margaret Cuthie	Penn State Harrisburg	26:23.6
Maggie Tsambikos	St. Mary's College of Maryland	26:42.7
Avery Arizzi	St. Mary's College of Maryland	27:00.5
Carly Dachenhausen	Cedar Crest College	27:14.1
Alicia Cruz	Cedar Crest College	27:18.0

THIRD TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE

Runner	School	Time
Kate Butzler	Penn College	27:20.1
Madison Kingsley	St. Mary's College of Maryland	27:22.7
Weiya Carter	St. Mary's College of Maryland	27:26.3
Elise Geiger	St. Mary's College of Maryland	27:41.5
Heather Hoffman	Penn State Berks	27:48.7
Molly Hieatzman	St. Mary's College of Maryland	27:50.4
Stephanie Carreon	Penn State Harrisburg	28:21.0
Alexis Hodges	St. Mary's College of Maryland	28:28.3