NEW HAVEN, Conn. — On Friday, Dec. 6, the Yale women's cross country team gathered at Ray Tompkins House for their annual banquet, a memorable event meant to reflect on and honor the team's achievements throughout the season. The evening began with an address from Courtney Jaworski, the Mark T. Young '68 Director of Cross Country and Track and Field, who commended the team for their remarkable performances over the course of the season. It was a groundbreaking year for the Bulldogs, who set numerous personal records, captured the ECAC Championship, and secured third place at the Ivy League Heptagonal Championships after earning sixth in 2023. Jaworski emphasized the collective effort that contributed to these successes and highlighted three runners for their individual contributions.

The 2024 Most Valuable Performer/Runner Award was presented to junior Claire Archer. Archer was Yale's top finisher in all four 6k races she participated in this season. She earned All-East honors with a second-place finish at the ECAC Championships and was named first team All-Ivy after placing fourth at the Ivy League Heptagonal Championships. Additionally, Archer received All-Region recognition from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for her 12th-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Northeast Regional.

The Coaches Award was given to sophomore Daniella Henderson. A true team player, Henderson embodied the spirit of "giving it your all" throughout the season, pushing herself to the limit in every race. Her determination at practice translated into consistent improvement, illustrated by a personal best of 21:40.4 at the Lehigh Paul Short Run. Henderson qualified for the Ivy League Heptagonal Championships, where she finished seventh for Yale and earned her spot to the NCAA Regional Championships. At Regionals, she bettered her previous personal record, setting a time of 21:31.61 on her way to finishing fourth for Yale and 78th overall.

The Outstanding First Year Award was presented to Zoe Martonfi. In her debut season, Martonfi not only excelled in races but also stood out as an encouraging presence at practice, motivating her teammates and embracing every challenge. At the ECAC Championships, Martonfi ran a personal best of 21:45.2 to finish 25th overall, moving up two places over the final 2.1k to earn All-East honors. She qualified for the Ivy League Heptagonal Championships, where she finished 10th for Yale with a time of 22:06.3 and was the youngest competitor on the team. Martonfi's impressive performance sets the stage for an exciting indoor and outdoor track season ahead.