Providence Clinches Team Title at the 2025 NEICAAA Women’s Cross Country Championships, O'Mahony Takes Individual Crown

Photo Credit: Mark Connolly - See more photos

Hopkinton, NH – October 10, 2025

The rolling fields of Hopkinton Fairgrounds provided the perfect stage for championship racing on Friday afternoon, as collegiate programs from across New England converged for the 2025 NEICAAA Women’s Cross Country Championships. Under crisp fall skies and ideal racing conditions, Providence College delivered a commanding performance to capture the team title — their first since 2019 — while senior Niamh O’Mahony produced a wire-to-wire victory in one of the most competitive races in recent meet history.

O’Mahony wasted no time asserting control, breaking from the lead pack midway through the first loop and never looking back. Her decisive move over the final kilometer carried her across the line in 17:08, earning her the individual crown and setting the tone for Providence’s collective triumph. The Friars’ depth was evident throughout, as sophomore Emily Bush (5th, 17:35) and freshman Emilia O’Leary (8th, 17:44) held firm inside the top ten. Freshman Lucia West (18th) and junior Shea Podbelski (35th) rounded out the scoring five, sealing a total of 67 points and a well-deserved championship return for a program long synonymous with distance-running excellence.

The University of Maine secured runner-up honors with 82 points, showcasing consistency and veteran composure across their lineup. Senior Helen Shearer led the Black Bears’ effort with a career-best 17:28 for second place, supported by Ruby Krasnow, Veselja Treacy, and Lila Garbett — all finishing inside the top 25. The group’s balanced execution kept Maine within striking distance of Providence throughout, and their strong pack presence suggests a team poised for postseason success.

The University of New Hampshire completed the podium in third with 109 points, fueled by the brilliance of sophomore Ruth White, who claimed third overall in 17:31. White, a former Maine high school standout, looked poised and patient throughout, anchoring a youthful but resilient Wildcat squad that also featured standout runs from Claire Ronan (7th) and Ella Malone (19th).

The remainder of the top ten featured an impressive cross-section of programs from across the region. Sacred Heart’s Grace Sousa (4th, 17:32) and Central Connecticut’s Juliana Cancellieri (6th, 17:43) both delivered breakthrough performances, while Holy Cross’s Siena Brunetti (9th) and Rhode Island’s Lily Saul (10th) capped off a top group separated by just 38 seconds from first to tenth — a testament to the race’s depth and competitive parity.

Conditions at Hopkinton were near-perfect, with light winds and temperatures in the low 50s providing fast footing on the fairgrounds’ undulating 5-kilometer layout. The course, known for its blend of open meadows and subtle elevation changes, rewarded rhythm and pacing — elements that played directly to Providence’s strengths.

This year’s event marked the 50th anniversary of the New England Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association (NEICAAA) Cross Country Championships, first contested in 1975. Over the decades, the meet has evolved into one of the most respected intercollegiate races in the region, blending Division I, II, and III programs in a uniquely competitive field that reflects the depth of New England’s running tradition.

For complete results, photos and historical archives, visit neicaaa.net/2025-xc-championships

Pl.	Name	Class	Team	Time
1	Niamh O’Mahony	SR	Providence	17:08.18
2	Helen Shearer	SR	Maine	17:28.29
3	Ruth White	SO	New Hampshire	17:31.84
4	Grace Sousa	SR	Sacred Heart	17:32.23
5	Emily Bush	SO	Providence	17:35.24
6	Juliana Cancellieri	SR	Central Connecticut	17:43.87
7	Claire Ronan	SR	New Hampshire	17:44.01
8	Emilia O’Leary	FR	Providence	17:44.34
9	Siena Brunetti	JR	Holy Cross	17:44.80
10	Lily Saul	JR	Rhode Island	17:46.90
11	Alivia Schweibinz	FR	Sacred Heart	17:52.48
12	Ruby Krasnow	SR	Maine	17:56.51
13	Veselja Treacy	SO	Maine	17:59.91
14	Maci Chapman	SR	Merrimack	18:03.89
15	Emily Young	SR	Stonehill	18:12.79
16	Natalie Crocker	FR	Quinnipiac	18:13.12
17	Grace Del Giorno	JR	Sacred Heart	18:13.95
18	Lucia West	FR	Providence	18:14.40
19	Ella Malone	JR	New Hampshire	18:18.59
20	Fran Peterson	JR	St. Michael’s	18:19.54
21	Maegan Desmarais	SR	Central Connecticut	18:19.88
22	Abby Granrath	SR	Holy Cross	18:20.36
23	Angelina Hickey	SO	Bowdoin	18:21.84
24	Laura White	FR	Bowdoin	18:22.80
25	Lila Garbett	FR	Maine	18:23.25

Rank	Team	Score	Team Time	Avg Time	Top Finishers
1	Providence	67	1:29:18	17:52	1 – 5 – 8 – 18 – 35
2	Maine	82	1:30:17	18:04	2 – 12 – 13 – 25 – 30
3	New Hampshire	109	1:30:54	18:11	3 – 7 – 19 – 36 – 44
4	Sacred Heart	146	1:31:34	18:19	4 – 11 – 17 – 39 – 75
5	Merrimack	188	1:33:08	18:38	14 – 33 – 34 – 52 – 55
6	Rhode Island	200	1:33:07	18:38	10 – 40 – 43 – 48 – 59
7	Holy Cross	201	1:33:13	18:39	9 – 22 – 53 – 54 – 63
8	Central Connecticut	219	1:33:26	18:42	6 – 21 – 27 – 65 – 100
9	Bowdoin	222	1:33:58	18:48	23 – 24 – 51 – 60 – 64
10	Tufts	230	1:34:04	18:49	26 – 31 – 49 – 58 – 66