Jacksonville University issued the following announcement on Nov. 1.
The ASUN Conference announced its Women's Cross Country All-Conference awards this past weekend and the Dolphins saw three names honored. Senior Hayleigh Palotti led the pod with a First Team All-Conference selection, after an incredible second-place finish in the ASUN Championship. Following in her footsteps are Madison Jones and Emma Sullivan, both named to the All-Freshmen Team.
Hayleigh Palotti – First Team All-Conference
Palotti was an instrumental piece to the Dolphins' season and ASUN Championship race. No stranger to awards and winning, Palotti year in and year out has been at the forefront of success for this Dolphins team as she now holds the number one spot in the Dolphins women's cross country record book for her stunning 5K time of 16:59. Palotti's efforts are forever cemented in Dolphin history and her coach, Ron Grigg shared what she has meant to this team during her tenure, "Hayleigh has been our front runner for years. She has gained the experience and the savvy to challenge for race wins." Something the Dolphins hope translates to the younger group that has already shown its possibilities.
Madison Jones, Emma Sullivan – All-Freshman Team
As they did all season, Jones and Sullivan find themselves together, except this is beyond the races and workouts, they find themselves as key pieces to the Dolphins' future. According to Coach Grigg, the two drew strength and confidence from each other as each of their races continued on throughout the season. Jones can also find herself climbing the Dolphin record books as she lands number nine all-time on the 5K list while Sullivan's two seconds faster land her at number six all-time. Having two of their athletes land on the All-Freshman Team bodes well for the future of Dolphins cross country.
Due to these performances along with the rest of the team, the Dolphins earned a top-fifteen regional ranking this week in the NCAA Women's Cross-Country Ranks that resulted in a proud Coach, "The entire team ran inspired and they should be incredibly proud of their efforts."
The Dolphins look to bring the positive news and motivation to Huntsville, Alabama where they will be putting that new NCAA rank to the test on November 12th.
Original source can be found here.
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