Junior Emma O’Day has been recognized as the Ivy League Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week after her performance at the John Reif Memorial held on Friday. O’Day secured first place in the 5K race, finishing with a time of 18:44.3, seven seconds ahead of her closest competitor on Cornell’s Moakley Course.
O’Day led from the start and maintained her lead throughout, demonstrating control and determination during what was the team’s final competition before the Ivy League Heptagonal Championships.
Speaking about her win, O’Day said, “It was great to have the energy of my teammates cheering me on and running on our home course, as well as the motivation of getting in a last good effort on some hills before Heps since Van Cortlandt Park is a notoriously hilly course.”
This marks O’Day’s first Ivy League weekly award this season. The recognition comes as Cornell prepares for its upcoming conference championship meet in New York City.
When asked about receiving the honor, O’Day highlighted her team and coaching staff: “It means so much. Being on this team and being surrounded by such incredible and hardworking women day in and day out just motivates me to put my best effort forward at every practice and meet,” she said. “I am so thankful for all of our coaches and what they have done for us to help us get to this point. I am super excited for the team to see what we do at Heps this weekend. We have a really strong squad this year.”
Cornell will compete next at the Ivy League Heptagonal Championships, aiming to build on their recent success.
