Madison Hedglin Claims MAC Championship, Leads Misericordia to Success

In a remarkable display of athleticism, Madison Hedglin, a freshman at Misericordia University, won the MAC cross country championship held on October 28, 2023, at Delaware Valley. This victory adds to her impressive achievements as she not only secured the individual title but was also named both MAC Runner of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Despite Hedglin’s standout performance, the Cougars finished second in the team competition with 55 points, narrowly losing to Lebanon Valley College.

Teammate Madison Kammer also contributed significantly, finishing fifth overall in the race. In a parallel event, the men’s team showcased their skills, with Trey Rhinehart and Ryan Weber earning first-team All-MAC honors. Rhinehart secured third place, while Weber finished sixth, leading the Cougars to a third-place finish in the team standings.

Women’s Soccer Dominates, Field Hockey and Volleyball Struggles

The success for Misericordia extended beyond cross country. In women’s soccer, the Cougars delivered an impressive performance, defeating Lebanon Valley 5-0 at Mangelsdorf Field. Esabella Mendola and Olivia Maniskas each scored twice, while Kim Ruby added the fifth goal, solidifying Misericordia’s position as the No. 1 seed in the MAC Freedom playoffs after completing an undefeated regular season.

In contrast, the field hockey team secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Delaware Valley, with Madison Lasinski scoring two goals. Madison Blauch and Ashley Pitz also contributed goals, while goalkeeper Sarah Bogina made two saves to earn the shutout.

However, the volleyball team faced challenges, losing both matches on the same day. The first match against RIT ended in a heart-wrenching five-set loss. Despite a strong start, the Monarchs could not hold on, with Lindsay Arezina leading the team with 10 kills. In the subsequent match against Vassar College, the Monarchs were swept in straight sets, marking a tough day for the squad.

Wrestling and Men’s Hockey Update

The Wilkes University wrestling team kicked off its season with a fifth-place finish at the Ned McGinley Invitational, scoring 95.5 points. New York University took the top spot with 160.5 points. Notable performances included Ryan Santiago and Jaryn Hartranft, who each won their respective weight classes.

Meanwhile, in men’s hockey, Misericordia faced a challenging start to the season, suffering a 5-1 defeat against Trine in the SUNY-Canton Tournament. Samuel Libetti scored the lone goal for the Cougars, assisted by Jaron Ketterman and Corbin Scheibel.

As the fall sports season progresses, the successes and challenges faced by these teams highlight the competitive spirit and dedication present in collegiate athletics. With upcoming playoff matches and competitions, all eyes will be on Misericordia and its athletes as they strive for further success.