Milligan Races Way to Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship

April 25, 2026

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. - Milligan held off some fierce competition to capture the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Outdoor Track & Field championship.

The three-day meet was held at Pulliam Stadium on the campus of Montreat in Black Mountain, N.C.

Milligan, who began the final day in third, finished with 155.5 points, with Columbia (137 points) and Brenau (134.5 points) not far behind in second and third, respectively. Montreat (123 points) and Columbia International (77 points) rounded out the top five.

Making up the rest of the field were Reinhardt (64 points), Truett McConnell (48 points), SCAD Atlanta (42 points), Tennessee Wesleyan (40 points), Spartanburg Methodist (30 points), Pikeville (14 points), Bryan (12 points), and Union (3 points).

Five meet records were set. Ellen-Mary Kearney of Milligan, who was named the Track Athlete of the Year, had a hand in two of the records. First, she helped Milligan set the 4x800 Relay mark as she, Kaylee Coll, McKenzie Fitzgerald, and Ella Hoover posted a time of 9:24.35. Then, Kearney took nearly 40 seconds off the mark when she won the 3000 Steeplechase in 10:37.23. Kearney finished with three individual championships, one relay title, and helped the 4x400 Relay to place fourth.

Emma Barnes of Montreat earned Field Athlete of the Year honors as she set the record in the javelin with a toss of 43.01 meters. She finished with three individual championships and helped the 4x400 Relay team to a third-place showing.

Madison Kitson of Brenau earned Most Valuable Player honors as she won two individual events (400 and long jump), helped win the 4x400 Relay, placed second in two individual events (200 and triple jump), and helped the 4x100 Relay to a runner-up finish.

Dara Gray of Columbia earned Freshman of the Year honors after winning the 100 and 200, and teammate Jayla Graham was named the Newcomer of the Year, having placed second in the long jump, third in the 100 and 200, and helped the 4x100 Relay to a first-place showing.

The Milligan coaching staff was named the Staff of the Year.

Here is a complete look at the records set:

Hammer Throw – Doreshia McAllister (Columbia), 52.38 meters
Heptathlon 100 Hurdles – Michaela Oglesby (Columbia International), 15.17
4x800 Relay – Milligan (Kaylee Coll, McKenzie Fitzgerald, Ella Hoover, Ellen-Mary Kearney), 9:24.35
Javelin – Emma Barnes (Montreat), 43.01 meters
3000 Steeplechase – Ellen-Mary Kearney (Milligan), 10:37.23

Here are all the other individual champions:

Pole Vault – Caroline Rimmer (Columbia International), 3.08 meters
Heptathlon – Michaela Oglesby (Columbia International), 3,842 points
10,000 – Carlyn Bobo (Montreat), 38.15.45
4x100 Relay – Columbia (Faith Eugene, Kwamecia Marks, Tylashia Alston, Jayla Graham), 47.39
400 Hurdles – Aleah Soderman (Milligan), 1:05.29
100 – Dara Gray (Columbia), 11.92
1500 – Ellen-Mary Kearney (Milligan), 4:37.73
400 – Madison Kitson (Brenau), 57.08
5000 Race Walk – Gladys Blanco Choque (Brenau), 35:40.32
Shot Put – Emma Barnes (Montreat), 12.92 meters
Long Jump – Madison Kitson (Brenau), 5.69 meters
High Jump – Julia VanMinnen (Truett McConnell), 1.63 meters
100 Hurdles – Emma Barnes (Montreat), 14.35
800 – Ellen-Mary Kearney (Milligan), 2:13.87
200 – Dara Gray (Columbia), 25.08
5000 – Heather Murphy (Montreat), 17:07.68
4x400 Relay – Brenau (Kyla Laurent, Ja'Leyah Wongus, Madison Kitson, Kamryn Chambliss), 4:01.95
Discus – Marquia White (Reinhardt), 42.75 meters
Triple Jump – Makayla Blango (Columbia), 11.56 meters

All those who placed in the top three of an event earned All-Conference honors.

For a complete look at the results, click here.