Main Story: Southern Connecticut State’s women’s cross-country team heads to Bethpage State Park on Nov. 7 to defend its Northeast-10 title. Led by returning standouts Erin Sola and PJ Dauphinais, the Owls are seeking a second straight championship despite losing last year’s individual champion and another top finisher.

By the Numbers
  • SCSU won the 2025 championship, 42-86, over Bentley.
  • The Owls won the NE10 title in 2023 and 2025, and were picked first in this season’s preseason poll.
  • At the New England Championships, SCSU placed 10th of 18 teams and was the top NE10 finisher, scoring 238 points to Bentley’s 339 and Saint Michael’s 463.
Yes, But

SCSU must replace 2025 champion Courtney Henchcliffe and ninth-place finisher Abigail Bajorek. The Owls have added new runners to their scoring group, while recent results have been mixed: second at the UHart Invitational, seventh at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational and 10th at New Englands.

State of Play
  • Erin Sola is SCSU’s top runner and has earned NE10 Runner of the Week twice this fall.
  • PJ Dauphinais is the top returning Owl from last year’s conference race; Maya Fisher and Rae Geddes also bring postseason experience.
  • Mckenzie David, Kaylee Gravel and freshman Michelle Blackburn have moved into the Owls’ scoring five.
What’s Next

After the conference championship, SCSU will turn to the NCAA Division II East Regional on Nov. 21. The Owls won that regional in 2025.

Bottom Line

SCSU has proven championship experience and a strong returning core, but repeating will depend on how quickly its reshaped scoring lineup can fill the gaps left by last year’s top finishers.