Photo by: Kyle Terada
11/2/2026 4:00:00 PM | General, Men's Cross Country
MORAGA, Calif. - After finishing second overall at the WCC Championship Race in San Diego and leading Saint Mary's to its highest team finish since 1999, redshirt senior Joseph O'Connell has been named this week's Saint Mary's Student Athlete of the Week. This is O'Connell's second time winning the award this season after taking second overall again in a field of 140 runners at the Saint Mary's Invitational back in September.
O'Connell, as well as fellow Gael runner Stuart Terrill, became the first runners in program history to finish top three overall in the WCC Championship race, with O'Connell completing the 8k race in 24:30:2 and Terrill just behind at 24:33:7. As a team, the Gaels finished third in the WCC Championship race, good for their second best finish in program history, with O'Connell and Terrill becoming the first Gael duo to be named First Team All-WCC since 1999.
Saint Mary's men's cross country will now have a week off before heading to the NCAA West Regionals on Friday, November 13, at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
OTHER NOMINEES: Sam Baumuller (MGOLF), Paulo Hugo Etchecoin (MTEN), Courtney Fitzgibbon (WXC), Brianna Jurasek (WSOC), Antonie Kelnarova (VB), Ethan Klerck (MWP), Mina Koloski (WTEN).
#GaelsRise
O'Connell, as well as fellow Gael runner Stuart Terrill, became the first runners in program history to finish top three overall in the WCC Championship race, with O'Connell completing the 8k race in 24:30:2 and Terrill just behind at 24:33:7. As a team, the Gaels finished third in the WCC Championship race, good for their second best finish in program history, with O'Connell and Terrill becoming the first Gael duo to be named First Team All-WCC since 1999.
Saint Mary's men's cross country will now have a week off before heading to the NCAA West Regionals on Friday, November 13, at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
OTHER NOMINEES: Sam Baumuller (MGOLF), Paulo Hugo Etchecoin (MTEN), Courtney Fitzgibbon (WXC), Brianna Jurasek (WSOC), Antonie Kelnarova (VB), Ethan Klerck (MWP), Mina Koloski (WTEN).
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
Monday, January 30
Saturday, May 28
Friday, May 13
Thursday, May 13
