DAYTON – The University of Dayton women's cross country team celebrated its 2017 season with a banquet, in conjunction with the men's cross country team, at the NCR Country Club tonight.
 
In addition to commemorating both teams winning the 2017 Men's and Women's Atlantic 10 Championships, yearly awards were given out, as well as three major team awards: Most Improved Runners (Emily Borchers and J.P. Flavin), Most Valuable Runners (Taylor Vernot and Chris Negri), and the High Flyer Awards (Grace McDonald and Spencer Danielson).
 
Junior Emily Borchers was named Most Improved for the Flyers on the women's side. Sophomore J.P. Flavin earned the honor on the men's side.
 
Borchers set PRs in both the 5k (17:48.4) and the 6k (21:28.3) this season; both times are ninth all-time in UD's Top 25. She also earned A-10 All-Conference honors by finishing in the Top 15 at the 2017 A-10 Championship.
 
Junior Taylor Vernot is Dayton's 2017 Most Valuable Women's Runner, while Chris Negri was named MVR on the men's team.
 
Vernot earned Atlantic 10 All-Conference honors after taking third place in the championship race. She was also named to the A-10 All-Academic Team. She earned All-Region honors with her Top 25 finish in the NCAA Great Lakes Region Championship. Vernot also broke UD's all-time record in the 6k with her 20:47.1 performance at the Pre-Nationals in Louisville on Oct. 14. She was twice named the A-10 Performer of the Week this year.
 
Senior Grace McDonald and junior Spencer Danielson were named this year's High Flyer Award winners. This award is given in recognition of the student-athlete who embodies the traits of team leadership and academic achievement. This award can only be presented once during a student-athlete's four years of eligibility.