Madison Hedglin Leads Misericordia to MAC Championship Glory

In a remarkable display of athleticism, Madison Hedglin, a freshman at Misericordia University, clinched the MAC cross country championship on Saturday, contributing significantly to her team’s impressive performance at Delaware Valley University. The Cougars secured second place in the team standings, finishing with a total of 55 points, narrowly missing the championship title to Lebanon Valley College.

Hedglin’s victory not only earned her the championship title but also accolades as both the MAC Runner of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Her teammate, Madison Kammer, also shone brightly, finishing fifth overall in the race. The Cougars’ performance highlighted their strength and competitive spirit throughout the season.

Team Highlights Across Sports

The success for Misericordia extended beyond cross country. In women’s soccer, the Cougars dominated Lebanon Valley College with a commanding 5-0 victory at Mangelsdorf Field. Esabella Mendola and Olivia Maniskas each netted two goals, while Kim Ruby added a fifth. This win solidified Misericordia’s status as the No. 1 seed in the MAC Freedom playoffs, finishing the regular season undefeated.

In field hockey, the Cougars triumphed over Delaware Valley with a score of 4-0. Madison Lasinski led the effort with two goals, while teammates Madison Blauch and Ashley Pitz each contributed a goal. Sarah Bogina ensured the shutout with two saves.

On the men’s side, the Cougars’ cross country team saw standout performances from Trey Rhinehart and Ryan Weber, both earning first-team All-MAC honors. Rhinehart finished third in the race, while Weber claimed sixth place, helping the team secure a third-place finish overall.

Wrestling and Volleyball Updates

The Wilkes University wrestling team opened its season with a commendable fifth-place finish at the Ned McGinley Invitational. The team scored 95.5 points, while New York University took first with 160.5 points. Individual accolades went to Ryan Santiago (141 lbs) and Jaryn Hartranft (165 lbs), who both secured first-place finishes in their respective weight classes.

In women’s volleyball, King’s College faced setbacks, losing two matches on the same day. They fell to RIT in a thrilling five-set match, with Lindsay Arezina leading the team with ten kills. The Monarchs also lost to Vassar College in straight sets.

Meanwhile, the Wilkes University women’s volleyball team split their matches, losing to Drew University but bouncing back to defeat Ramapo College in their final match of the day.

The athletic achievements across various sports at Misericordia and Wilkes University showcase the talent and determination of these young athletes as they continue to represent their institutions on the competitive stage.