WHEELING, W.Va. – Following a runner-up finish at the 2024 Mountain East Conference Cross Country Championship a season ago, Point Park sophomore Cassondra O'Connor returned to the same track and finished on top of the podium in 2025.
 
O'Connor turned in a time of 22:28.64 to win the race and edge out Davis & Elkins' Lauren Twyman (22:45.77) and Lydia Falkenstein (23:15.68), and Glenville State's Natalie Barr (22:51.74). O'Connor crossed the finish line first, followed by Twyman, Barr, Falkenstein, and Glenville's Jenna Barnett (23:17.67) to round out the top five.
 
In addition to her championship, O'Connor was also named first team All-MEC and the league's 2025 Runner of the Year on Saturday. She is now a two-time MEC Runner of the Year.
 
As a team, Point Park finished second, placing five runners in the top 30. Davis & Elkins took the team championship with 32 points, followed by Point Park (88 points) and Charleston (103) in the top three.
 
The Senators placed four runners in the top 10 to earn the team championship.
 
In addition to O'Connor's all-conference accolades, Alana Dyce-Giraud (24:36.19) and Lotte Zethof (24:37.06) both took home second team All-MEC honors on Saturday, placing 18^th and 19^th, respectively. Freshman Aubrey Smith finished just outside the Top 20 in 22^nd place (24:44.73), while Zabine von Westernhagen finished in 28^th place (24:50.15).
 
Point Park will cap the 2025 season next Saturday at the 16^th Annual Go-Fast River Run hosted by Lock Haven University. The women's 6k is slated for a noon start.