Marshall University Athletics
Back-to-Back! Rachael Withrow Named SBC Women’s Runner of the Week for Second Consecutive Week
9/16/2026 11:00:00 AM | Cross Country
Championship Fund | Relay Club
NEW ORLEANS – For the second time in as many weeks, Marshall Cross Country senior Rachael Withrow has been named the Sun Belt Conference Women's Runner of the Week, the league announced on Wednesday.
Withrow won the Queen City Invite - her second 5K victory in the team's first two meets - to lead Marshall Women's Cross Country last Friday. Withrow's time of 16:18.9 won the meet by over a minute. The Herd's senior holds the two fastest times in the conference this season after her 16:11.2 5K time the week prior at the Thundering Herd Invitational.
"Rachael is an exceptional student-athlete and an outstanding person," said Director of XC/TF Keith Roberts. "The impact she has already made on our program has been remarkable, and I am extremely proud of everything she has accomplished. Her success is a direct reflection of the commitment, discipline, and hard work she has demonstrated over the years."
"It has been incredibly rewarding to see her dedication translate into success on the course. Rachael approaches every opportunity with a tremendous work ethic and a commitment to excellence, and she has quickly established herself as a valued member of our program. I am proud of the athlete she is becoming and, even more so, the person she continues to be."
Withrow has led a strong Marshall women's team to a season-opening victory and a 3rd place finish at the crowded field of 26 teams in Charlotte last weekend. The Herd returns to meet competition in Louisville in early October with the SBC Championships on October 30.
"We're excited to see Rachael get Athlete of the Week again," said Head Cross Country Coach Caleb Bowen. "She had a great race at the Queen City Invite and I was excited to see her show off her fitness in the face of pretty extreme heat and coming off a meet the week before. She was able to stay composed and run really strong from the front. We are excited to get back to training for a few weeks before our next race in Louisville."
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