Vancouver, Wash. (Nov. 21, 2009) --- The Milligan College women’s cross country team finished 11th at the 2009 NAIA Cross Country National Championships Saturday in Vancouver, Wash. Individually, sophomores Austin Ellis (Charlottesville, Va.) and Gillian Giffen (Knoxville, Tenn.) earned All-American honors with their performance.

Giffen, a two-time AAC runner of the year, added NAIA Cross Country All-American to her already impressive résumé Saturday in the 30th running of the women’s national championships. The highest AAC finisher on the women’s side, Giffen crossed the line in 18:43 to place 21st overall.

Three Milligan freshmen were next for the Lady Buffs in Catie McMahon (Lanoka Harbor, N.J.), Leah Nelson (Johnson City, Tenn.) and Lauren Hubbard (Kingsport, Tenn.). McMahon finished the 5K in 19:31, while Nelson and Hubbard were seconds apart at 20:03 and 20:05, respectively. Rounding out the Lady Buffs top five was junior Lili Zaldana (Bristol, Tenn.) in 20:12.

As in previous years, the Lady Buffs had a higher finish in the championships than they were voted in the final national rankings. The Milligan women were also the highest AAC finisher of any school men or women.   

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