Jennings Named NEWMAC XC Coach of the Year; Blue Earn Team Sportsmanship Award

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) has released the Coach of the Year and Team Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2015 women's cross country season. Following a vote of the NEWMAC head cross country coaches, Wellesley College head coach Phil Jennings has been named the 2015 NEWMAC Coach of the Year. In addition, the Blue have been awarded the 2015 Team Sportsmanship Award.

"It is an honor to be recognized by fellow NEWMAC coaches for Coach of the Year honors, but the team's success this year is more a reflection of the dedication and work ethic of our student-athletes," said Jennings. "I'd also like to congratulate MIT and coach Halston Taylor on their 9th consecutive team championship and say best of luck to all of the teams competing next week at the NCAA New England Regional Championships."

Coach Jennings earns his first NEWMAC Coach of the Year Award after guiding the Blue to a second place finish at the NEWMAC Women's Cross Country Championship. In all, five Wellesley runners earned a place on the All-Conference team, which is awarded to the top 14 finishers at the conference championship. The Blue have also run to team titles this season at the 2015 Roger Williams Invitational, 2015 Roy Griak Invitational at the University of Minnesota and the 2015 Seven Sisters Championship.

Last season, Jennings guided the Blue cross country program to its third appearance at the NCAA Championships, and first since 1986. Wellesley cross country has also put together back-to-back top-ten finishes at NCAA Regionals under Jennings, finishing ninth in 2013 and fifth in 2014. 

Coach Jennings and Blue cross country will return to action on Saturday, November 7, at the 2015 ECAC Cross Country Championships before heading to the 2015 NCAA New England Regional Championships at Harkness Memorial Park -- New London, Conn.

2015 NEWMAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year

Phil Jennings, Wellesley

2015 NEWMAC Women's Cross Country Team Sportsmanship

Wellesley

2015 NEWMAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year

Maryann Gong, MIT

2015 NEWMAC Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Year

Leandra Zimmerman, MIT

2015 NEWMAC Women's Cross Country All-Conference Team

Maryann Gong, MIT
Priyanka Fouda, Wellesley
Leandra Zimmerman, MIT
Mary Eccles, MIT
Nicole Zeinstra, MIT
Christina Wicker, MIT
Mary Naas, Wellesley
Mary Keenan, Wellesley
Edie Sharon, Wellesley
Megan Montgomery, MIT
Sharon Ng, Wellesley
Georgia Crane, Wheaton
Sunny Shan, Mount Holyoke
Emily Newman, WPI