RICHMOND, VA -- University of Delaware cross country standouts P.J. Meany and Colleen O’Brien (right) have been selected to their respective All-Colonial Athletic Association all-star teams.

O’Brien, a sophomore from Lebanon, NJ (North Hunterdon High School), earned the a spot on the All-CAA women’s team for the second straight year while Meany, a junior from Hockessin, DE (Salesianum), was honored for the first time on the men’s squad.

The selections were made from a vote of the CAA member head coaches.

O’Brien, who was named CAA Rookie of the Year as a freshman in 2004, enjoyed another standout season for the Blue Hens this past fall. She led the Blue Hens in all but two races the entire season, capturing first place overall at the UNC Wilmington Seahawk Classic and placing fourth at the Delaware Invitational #1. She also was 14th at the NCAA District II meet, was 16th at the Paul Short Invitational, and placed third overall for the second straight year at the CAA championships.

Meany led the Blue Hens in all seven races during the season, including capturing first place overall at the UNC Wilmington Seahawk Classic and both Delaware Invitationals. He also placed eighth at the CAA Championships, earned All-Region honors with a 12th place finish at the NCAA District II meet, and All-East honors by placing 14th at the IC4A championships. He also led the Hens with a 44th place finish at the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh.

The men’s team included Meany, William & Mary’s Ian Fitzgerald, Jeff Hedley, Matt Keally, Keith Bechtol, Dave Mock, and Sean Anastasia-Murphy, James Madison’s Allen Carr and Evan Kays, Virginia Commonwealth’s Steve Walter, and Georgia State’s Mark Steeds. Fitzgerald was named CAA Athlete of the Year, Steeds as selected as the Rookie of the Year, and Alex Gibby of William & Mary was named Coach of the Year.

On the women’s side, the All-CAA team consisted of O’Brien, James Madison’s Shannon Saunders, Nelly Anderson, and Michelle Beardmore, William & Mary’s Meghan Bishop, Julia Cathcart, Erin Prillaman, Julie Taylor, Tracy Williams, and Kait Hurley, Hofstra’s Mary Sullivan, and UNC Wilmington’s Marissa Murtaugh. Saunders was named Athlete of the Year, Sullivan was named Rookie of the Year, and William & Mary’s Kathy Newberry was selected as Coach of the Year.

AGATE:

CAA Athlete of the Year: Ian Fitzgerald, Wm. & Mary (men), Shannon Saunders, James Madison (women)
CAA Rookie of the Year: Mark Steeds, Georgia State (men), Mary Sullivan, Hofstra (women)
CAA Coach of the Year: Alex Gibby, William & Mary (men), Kathy Newberry, William & Mary (women)

All-CAA (men): P.J. Meany (Delaware), Ian Fitzgerald (Wm. & Mary), Jeff Hedley (Wm. & Mary), Matt Keally (Wm. & Mary), Keith Bechtol (Wm. & Mary), Dave Mock (Wm. & Mary), Sean Anastasia-Murphy (Wm. & Mary), Allen Carr (James Madison), Evan Kays (James Madison), Steve Walter (Virginia Commonwealth), Mark Steeds (Georgia State).

All-CAA (women): Colleen O’Brien (Delaware), Shannon Saunders (James Madison), Nelly Anderson (James Madison), Michelle Beardmore (James Madison), Meghan Bishop (William & Mary), Julia Cathcart (William & Mary), Erin Prillaman (William & Mary), Julie Taylor (William & Mary), Tracy Williams (William & Mary), Kait Hurley (William & Mary), Mary Sullivan (Hofstra), Marissa Murtaugh (UNC Wilmington).