Cross Country
![Photo courtesy of Ionagaels.com.
Providence and Tabois posted their lowest combined 4x400 time in Staten Island.](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Providence-and-Tabois-posted-their-lowest-combined-4x400-time-in-Staten-Island.PHOTOCOURTESYOFIONAGAELS.COM_.jpg)
Track and field near midpoint of winter season
Robert Hughes, Sports Editor
• February 8, 2024
![The mens team won their first regional title since 2012 on Nov. 10.](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-mens-team-won-their-first-regional-title-since-2012-on-Nov.-10.PHOTOCOURTESYOFIONAGAELS.COM_-e1701977909902.jpg)
Solid NCAA bouts conclude cross country seasons
Robert Hughes, Sports Editor
• December 7, 2023
![Iona mens team flew to the finish line with a near-perfect score of 19.](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IonaMensCrossCountryChamps-Ionian.jpg)
Dilcher and Gunton shine, Keep Iona’s Dynasties Alive
Robert Hughes, Sports Editor
• November 2, 2023
![The men’s team are going for their 32nd MAAC title in a row this year, while the women are hoping to win their 6th in a row and 16th out of the last 17.](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Iona-xc-picture-men-900x507.png)
Cross-country off to hot start
Jason Piccolomini, Staff Writer
• October 9, 2022
![Iona’s track and field team has carried a reputation for being a Northeast juggernaut for the past few decades.
Every year, the Gaels recruit top runners from all over the country and all over the world to wear maroon and gold.
Sophie Murphy and Ehab El-Sandali are two international runners that are among the most accomplished in Iona history.
Hailing from Ireland, Murphy is a graduate student and is coming off a season that saw her add to her already impressive resume.
Last year, Murphy took home a MAAC Student Athlete of the Year Award. Murphy’s performance last season granted her an invitation to the NCAA XC Championships in Tallahassee, Florida.
In the past, Murphy has been named to several MAAC All-Academic Teams. She has placed high in several events throughout her college career, including a victory in the 10,000-meter at the 2019 MAAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Although she does not have cross country eligibility this upcoming season, Murphy will still be training for the track season in hopes of retaining her indoor 5k MAAC title. She is optimistic for herself and her team this season.
“I’m excited to see what my team can do this year,” Murphy said. “We have a great group of girls who are training well, and I’m sure they’ll have an amazing season.”
Even though Murphy’s Iona career will soon end, she feels good knowing she is making a lasting impact.
“It’s an honor to know that I could have that sort of impact on such a successful program,” Murphy said. “I am really grateful to have had coaches help me accomplish everything I have here at Iona.”
El-Sandali, a graduate student representing Canada, had similar success to Murphy last season. Like Murphy, El-Sandali was a MAAC Student Athlete of the Year while also competing at the NCAA XC Championships.
El-Sandali was named an All-American after finishing 25th at the event and set numerous Iona top-10 times last season. El-Sandali has won several events in the past including the 1,500-meter and 5,000-meter at last year’s MAAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
El-Sandali’s record-breaking year led him to being named a recipient of the Joseph O’Connell Award, which goes out to outstanding Iona athletes, and being named MAAC’s Most Outstanding Track Performer.
El-Sandali has no plans of ending his dominance any time soon. One of his main motivations is the thought of how successful he can truly become.
“What motivates me is finding out how far I can go in the sport, and leave no stone unturned,” El-Sandali said. “I enjoy getting the best out of myself and seeing my progress throughout the years, but I never feel like I’m at my best.”
Running will continue to be a major part of El-Sandali’s life post-Iona, and he plans to run professionally after graduation.
“My short-term plan consists of joining a professional running team based in the United States,” El-Sandali said. “My long-term plans consist of making Olympics/IAAF World Championship teams and representing Canada to the best of my ability.”
Last year was the first year the men’s xc team failed to qualify for NCAA Nationals since 2001.](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/MAAC-athletes-of-the-year-picture-Iona-athletics-website--900x506.jpeg)
Murphy and El-Sandali named MAAC student-athletes of year
Jason Piccolomini, Staff Writer
• September 8, 2022
![El-Sandali was named the MAAC’s Most Oustanding Track Performer in 2021.](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ehab_NCAA-900x519.jpg)
Runner ends Iona XC career on high note
Giovanni Paolo Tagliafierro, Sports Editor
• December 9, 2021
![Alfaro Monge was the first Iona men’s player to win the award since Juan Alcantara in 2017.](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/havrillaalfarowellington-900x900.png)
Triple threat: Three Gaels notch MAAC weekly awards
Giovanni Paolo Tagliafierro, Sports Editor
• October 7, 2021
![Cross country finished as the top team in the Northeast Region last year.](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ionaxc-900x506.jpg)
Cross country finding stride after second meet
Giovanni Paolo Tagliafierro, Sports Editor
• September 23, 2021
![Freshman Nick Sinofsky running during the Metropolitan Championships on April 9th at Icahn Stadium.](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ionatrackfield-900x506.jpg)
Gaels wrap up Metropolitan Championships
Matthew Chaves, Sports Editor
• April 22, 2021
![Graduate Student Jack O’Leary received the United States Track and Field Coaches and Cross Country Coaches Association Fred Tootell Award for his performances this season. This is given to the best male runner in the northeast.](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CrossCountry-900x507.png)
Iona cross country continues domination in MAAC, finishes 10th at NCAA
Matthew Chaves, Sports Editor
• March 25, 2021
![Iona College cross country and track and field assistant coach Christine Eisenberg specializes in the steeplechase event. // Photos used courtesy of icgaels.com](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/XC_TF_New_Coach-1-900x506.jpg)
Christine Eisenberg discusses her career, hopes for Gaels
Matthew Chaves, Sports Editor
• November 15, 2020
![Iona Alumna receives Arthur Ashe Jr. Award](https://theionian.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tamantha-Pizarro.jpg)
Iona Alumna receives Arthur Ashe Jr. Award
Matthew Chaves, Sports Editor
• September 18, 2020
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