Cross Country | 11/9/2025 12:43:00 AM

HARDEEVILLE, S.C.- When Ave Maria University unveiled the hiring of Alan Webb more than three years ago, it made a major splash in the cross country and track worlds.

One of the greatest middle distance runners in American history, he was tasked with bringing the Ave Maria cross country program to new heights.

Mission accomplished.

The Ave Maria University men's cross country team won their first Sun Conference championship in school history on Saturday, rolling to the team title at the 2025 Sun Conference Cross Country Championships at Sargeant Jasper Park in Hardeeville, South Carolina. The Gyrenes placed five runners in the top ten to dominate the field, with their 32 points halving the score of the nearest competition, second place Southeastern.

An Olympian that has held several American records, Webb, who was named SUN Coach of the Year, said Saturday's accomplishment was especially rewarding. 

"I've been to the Olympic trial, I've held the record for the mile and a bunch of other high school records," Webb said. "But this is my first team championship of my career, and it is sweet."

Six Ave Maria runners earned All-Conference recognition, led by overall runner-up Donavan Mattson (25:16.0). Connor Coyle and David Giles followed with top six finishes, and Sebastian Shea, who also earned SUN Champion of Character honors, finished ninth. AMU's team score was rounded out by veteran Samuel Paga. Sixth finisher John Halvorsen was also an All-Conference runner in eleventh place. The Sun Conference honored the top 15 runners in both races as All-Conference.

On the women's side, the Gyrenes finished third behind champion SCAD Savannah and runner-up Southeastern. The highlight for Ave Maria was Madison Thomas, who earned a trip back to the NAIA National Championships as an individual qualifier. Thomas placed seventh overall with a time of 23:17.8. She was joined on the All-Conference team by Anabella Descalzo, Clare Owen, and Maria Gutierrez. 

The women also completed a sweep of the Sun Conference's Champions of Character awards, with Claudia Wojciechowski winning the conference honor.

For the first time in school history, Ave Maria will compete as a team at the NAIA National Championships, held this year at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, which also played host to the Championships in 2022. The action will begin with Thomas representing the Gyrenes at 8:30 a.m. in the women's race, with the Gyrenes' effort in the men's race following at 9:30 a.m. on November 21.