ROCHESTER, NY - Four runners earn Empire 8 All-Conference honors, as announced on Tuesday.
 
Catherine Manna (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) received her first all-conference honors after capturing second-team. Manna had a season to remember, taking 17th out of over 100 runners at the Empire 8 Championships. She completed the race in 23:09.9, making that one of her top finishes. She placed in the top 5 in two races, both at SUNY Poly and placed top 10 in three others.  
 
Marlo Townsend (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) earned her first all-Empire 8 selection after being named to the second team. Towsend was consistent all season and placed 18th overall at the E8 Championships. She ran a spectacular 23:10.3. Townsend's best race came during a 6k on September 24 at SUNY Poly. She placed first overall out of over 30 runners, running a 23:58.2. Another top mark was when she placed third overall at SUNY Poly, running a 4k in 17:24.3.
 
Jade Dening (Remsen, NY/Remsen) captured her fourth all-conference selection after being named to the third team. Dening placed 22nd overall at the Empire 8 Championships, marking a 23:22.5. She placed first overall at SUNY Poly and 16th at Hamilton in a loaded field. 
 
Maria Stuhlman (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) received her second All-Empire 8 selection as she was named to the third team. She placed 20th overall at the conference championships. Stuhlman placed in the top 10 at multiple events, staying consistent throughout the season. 
 
Marlo Townsend (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) captured Sportswoman of the Year. One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2024 Women's Cross Country Sportswoman of the Year Team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits of outstanding sportswomen.