Photo by: Mark Palczewski/MU Athletics
'Ville cross country and track and field welcome freshman class
8/22/2025 10:43:00 AM | Women's Cross Country, Women's Outdoor Track and Field, Women's Indoor Track and Field
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville women's cross country and track and field programs continued to compete at the top of the PSAC in 2024-25, and 2025-26 should be no different as Coach Andy Young and his staff have added 14 newcomers to strengthen the Marauders' returning rosters.
The freshman class includes: Maeve Boyes (XC/distance), Kira Chebishev (XC/distance), Madison Flickinger (XC/distance), Alexia Green (discus/shot put), Lauren Gula (400/800), Megan Hechler (hurdles/high jump/javelin), Leanne Hodgson (XC/distance), Livia Lighty (XC/distance), Ashley Main (XC/distance), Olianna Oravitz (jumps/sprints), Melanie Palen (throws), Camron Roush (sprints/jumps), Ava Wilson (hurdles/multis), and Alyssa Yanek (pole vault).
"We had another good sized incoming class that cover all areas of cross country and track and field with a lot of potential to help our team right away or in the coming years," said Young.
Young and assistant coaches Akil Stokes and Brittany Hartman have a history of recruiting and developing immediate-impact athletes. Four Marauders have won the PSAC Outdoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year award since 2015, and just last season, then-freshmen Jillian Sydnor, Aasley De Leon and Milan Snell produced All-PSAC performances. Sydnor won the outdoor 400-meter dash, and she and Snell ran two legs of the title-winning 4x400 team.
MAEVE BOYES
Events (PRs): 3,200 (11:40)/ 800 (2:24)
High School (Coach): Council Rock South (Lia Chak)
Major: Special Education with a minor in psychology
Why Millersville? "I'm attending Millersville because it was a good and affordable school. I was mainly looking at the other state schools but something that made Millersville stand out was the track and cross country team. I liked the coach and the people on the team; they were by far the most welcoming school. On the academic side everyone was so helpful in helping me figure out how to become a behavorial analysts with a special education major."
Goals at Millersville: "My goals are to have fun with running and hopefully improve mentally and physically through my time at Millersville."
KIRA CHEBISHEV
Events (PRs): 5K (19:17.88), 800 (2:16.21), 400 (59.99)
High School (Coach): Parsippany Hills (Michelle Perry and Karen Brzezinski)
Major: Plant Science
Top Achievement: Set six school records
Why Millersville? "I chose Millersville because they have my major, and a strong biology background."
Goals at Millersville: "Grow as a student and athlete."
MADISON FLICKINGER
Events (PRs): 5K (22:38), 1,600 (5:59), 3,200 (13:16)
High School (Coach): Gettysburg Area (Coty Slouther and Doug Crist)
Major: Psychology
Top Achievement: "The achievement I'm most proud of would be my mile in track because I was in a slump and was struggling throughout the season and making that PR felt amazing."
Why Millersville? "Because I loved how it felt like home for me. The people are so nice and supportive."
Goals at Millersville: "My goal is to reach my fullest potential in school and in running."
ALEXIA GREEN
Events (PRs): Discus (136-6), Shot Put (36-1)
High School (Coach): Ephrata (Matthew White and Clint Surgeoner)
Major: Government, policy, and law
Top Achievement: "Winning Districts as a sophomore and placing in Districts as a senior."
Why Millersville? "It's a great school with a great track and field program, and it's also close to home."
Goals for Millersville: "My goals for Millersville are to sustain a GPA of 3.8 or higher along with performing well in throwing!"
LAUREN GULA
Events (PRs): 400 (58.38), 800 (2:21.30)
High School (Coach): Lower Dauphin High School (Michael Masorti and Scott Payonk)
Major: Biology with a sports medicine concentration
Top Achievement: "I am most proud of holding my schools 800 meter record!"
Why Millersville? "I am attending Millersville because as soon as I stepped on campus and met some of the team, I felt right at home!"
Goals at Millersville: "My goals at Millersville are to do my best both academically and athletically and make new friends!"
MEGAN HECHLER
Events (PRs): 100-meter hurdles (15.3), 300-meter hurdles (45.82), high jump (5-0), javelin (79-8)
High School (Coach): Garden Spot High School (Coach Devon Lewis)
Major: Psychology
Top Achievement: "Qualifying for states my senior year."
Why Millersville? "I felt that Millersville offer some great opportunities with my degree, and I loved the track team/environment."
Goals at Millersville: "To win PSAC's both as a team and an individual."
LEANNE HODGSON
Events (PRs): 5K (20:03), 1,600 (5:33), 800 (2:26)
High School (Coach): Western Albemarle (Katie Pugh)
Major: Animal Behavior
Top Achievement: "I am most proud of my teammates and I getting all-state in the 4x8 this past outdoor track season."
Why Millersville? "I am attending Millersville because they have my major, I love the campus/atmosphere, and I am able to run for them."
Goals at Millersville: "I want to grow both mentally and physically. I want to help animals/the environment in a big way. I want to do the best I possibly can in both my academics and running.
LIVIA LIGHTY
Events (PRs): 5K (21:22), 1,600 (6:01), 800 (2:36), 400 (1:03.5)
High School (Coach): Bermudian Springs (Matthew Royer, Heather Dengler)
Major: Sociology
Top Achievement: Cross country MVP for four years
Why Millersville? "I love the setting and the feeling of a close-knit team."
Goals at Millersville: "To work hard and make life lasting connections!"
ASHLEY MAIN
Events (PRs): 5k (20:10), 800 (2:30), 1,600 (5:53)
High School (Coach): Central York (Kelly McKinley, Andrew Hartman)
Major: Middle Level Education
Top Achievement: Varsity all four years of high school
Why Millersville? "They have a good program for education and middle level education is included more than most schools. Plus, it's close to home and the team is really sweet."
Goals at Millersville: "To pursue my academic and athletic journey further and improve my track and cross country PRs."
OLIANNA ORAVITZ
Events (PRs): Long jump (19-0 1/4), 100 (12.03), 200 (25.7)
High School (Coach): Solanco (Jennifer McDowell )
Major: Early childhood education
Top Achievement: "The top achievement I'm proud of would either be me being able to hit 19-0 in long jump or winning our district for our 4x100 this recent season."
Why Millersville? "I'm attending Millersville because when I came to visit everyone was so welcoming, and it's very close to home for me."
Goals at Millersville: "To have fun, make friends, pass my classes and perform well in my sport."
MELANIE PALEN
Events (PRs): Shot put (30-11), discus (103-11)
High School (Coach): Quakertown (Jason Anderson, Nicholas Hood, Rudy Levinski, Justin Kucharski
Major: Meteorology
Top Achievement: Earned a varsity letter every year in high school
Why Millersville? MU has such a welcoming atmosphere every time I visit
Goals at Millersville: "See how far I can push myself, educationally and physically."
CAMRON ROUSH
Events (PRs): 100 (12:57), 200 (26.72), long jump (16-2)
High School (Coach): Milton Area (Brian Watler, Lindsay Bauer)
Major: Nuclear Medicine
Top Achievement: "One of my proudest accomplishments is achieving the position of second-fastest 100 time in the history of Milton Track and Field."
Why Millersville? "I chose Millersville because they have a well-known nuclear medicine program and a solid track and field team."
Goals at Millersville: "I wish to drop time on my 100 and do what I can to help the team win PSACs!"
AVA WILSON
Events (PRs): High jump (5-4), 100 hurdles (15-7), 300 hurdles (46-2), pentathlon (2,476)
High School (Coach): Bensalem (Mary Ellen Malloy)
Major: Undecided
Top Achievement: "Leaving my high school with six school records."
Why Millersville? "I am attending Millersville to become a better athlete while furthering my education. This school stood out to me the most and felt like the best fit for me because of what they had to offer here at Millersville."
Goals at Millersville: "To run fast, get good grades and make friends."
ALYSSA YANEK
Events (PRs): Pole vault (9-0)
High School (Coach): Dubois Central Catholic (Andy Skraba, Tom Shade)
Major: Early childhood education
Top Achievement: School record
Why Millersville? "It has a good program for educators."
Goals at Millersville: "Learn new things."
The freshman class includes: Maeve Boyes (XC/distance), Kira Chebishev (XC/distance), Madison Flickinger (XC/distance), Alexia Green (discus/shot put), Lauren Gula (400/800), Megan Hechler (hurdles/high jump/javelin), Leanne Hodgson (XC/distance), Livia Lighty (XC/distance), Ashley Main (XC/distance), Olianna Oravitz (jumps/sprints), Melanie Palen (throws), Camron Roush (sprints/jumps), Ava Wilson (hurdles/multis), and Alyssa Yanek (pole vault).
"We had another good sized incoming class that cover all areas of cross country and track and field with a lot of potential to help our team right away or in the coming years," said Young.
Young and assistant coaches Akil Stokes and Brittany Hartman have a history of recruiting and developing immediate-impact athletes. Four Marauders have won the PSAC Outdoor Track & Field Freshman of the Year award since 2015, and just last season, then-freshmen Jillian Sydnor, Aasley De Leon and Milan Snell produced All-PSAC performances. Sydnor won the outdoor 400-meter dash, and she and Snell ran two legs of the title-winning 4x400 team.
MAEVE BOYES
Events (PRs): 3,200 (11:40)/ 800 (2:24)
High School (Coach): Council Rock South (Lia Chak)
Major: Special Education with a minor in psychology
Why Millersville? "I'm attending Millersville because it was a good and affordable school. I was mainly looking at the other state schools but something that made Millersville stand out was the track and cross country team. I liked the coach and the people on the team; they were by far the most welcoming school. On the academic side everyone was so helpful in helping me figure out how to become a behavorial analysts with a special education major."
Goals at Millersville: "My goals are to have fun with running and hopefully improve mentally and physically through my time at Millersville."
KIRA CHEBISHEV
Events (PRs): 5K (19:17.88), 800 (2:16.21), 400 (59.99)
High School (Coach): Parsippany Hills (Michelle Perry and Karen Brzezinski)
Major: Plant Science
Top Achievement: Set six school records
Why Millersville? "I chose Millersville because they have my major, and a strong biology background."
Goals at Millersville: "Grow as a student and athlete."
MADISON FLICKINGER
Events (PRs): 5K (22:38), 1,600 (5:59), 3,200 (13:16)
High School (Coach): Gettysburg Area (Coty Slouther and Doug Crist)
Major: Psychology
Top Achievement: "The achievement I'm most proud of would be my mile in track because I was in a slump and was struggling throughout the season and making that PR felt amazing."
Why Millersville? "Because I loved how it felt like home for me. The people are so nice and supportive."
Goals at Millersville: "My goal is to reach my fullest potential in school and in running."
ALEXIA GREEN
Events (PRs): Discus (136-6), Shot Put (36-1)
High School (Coach): Ephrata (Matthew White and Clint Surgeoner)
Major: Government, policy, and law
Top Achievement: "Winning Districts as a sophomore and placing in Districts as a senior."
Why Millersville? "It's a great school with a great track and field program, and it's also close to home."
Goals for Millersville: "My goals for Millersville are to sustain a GPA of 3.8 or higher along with performing well in throwing!"
LAUREN GULA
Events (PRs): 400 (58.38), 800 (2:21.30)
High School (Coach): Lower Dauphin High School (Michael Masorti and Scott Payonk)
Major: Biology with a sports medicine concentration
Top Achievement: "I am most proud of holding my schools 800 meter record!"
Why Millersville? "I am attending Millersville because as soon as I stepped on campus and met some of the team, I felt right at home!"
Goals at Millersville: "My goals at Millersville are to do my best both academically and athletically and make new friends!"
MEGAN HECHLER
Events (PRs): 100-meter hurdles (15.3), 300-meter hurdles (45.82), high jump (5-0), javelin (79-8)
High School (Coach): Garden Spot High School (Coach Devon Lewis)
Major: Psychology
Top Achievement: "Qualifying for states my senior year."
Why Millersville? "I felt that Millersville offer some great opportunities with my degree, and I loved the track team/environment."
Goals at Millersville: "To win PSAC's both as a team and an individual."
LEANNE HODGSON
Events (PRs): 5K (20:03), 1,600 (5:33), 800 (2:26)
High School (Coach): Western Albemarle (Katie Pugh)
Major: Animal Behavior
Top Achievement: "I am most proud of my teammates and I getting all-state in the 4x8 this past outdoor track season."
Why Millersville? "I am attending Millersville because they have my major, I love the campus/atmosphere, and I am able to run for them."
Goals at Millersville: "I want to grow both mentally and physically. I want to help animals/the environment in a big way. I want to do the best I possibly can in both my academics and running.
LIVIA LIGHTY
Events (PRs): 5K (21:22), 1,600 (6:01), 800 (2:36), 400 (1:03.5)
High School (Coach): Bermudian Springs (Matthew Royer, Heather Dengler)
Major: Sociology
Top Achievement: Cross country MVP for four years
Why Millersville? "I love the setting and the feeling of a close-knit team."
Goals at Millersville: "To work hard and make life lasting connections!"
ASHLEY MAIN
Events (PRs): 5k (20:10), 800 (2:30), 1,600 (5:53)
High School (Coach): Central York (Kelly McKinley, Andrew Hartman)
Major: Middle Level Education
Top Achievement: Varsity all four years of high school
Why Millersville? "They have a good program for education and middle level education is included more than most schools. Plus, it's close to home and the team is really sweet."
Goals at Millersville: "To pursue my academic and athletic journey further and improve my track and cross country PRs."
OLIANNA ORAVITZ
Events (PRs): Long jump (19-0 1/4), 100 (12.03), 200 (25.7)
High School (Coach): Solanco (Jennifer McDowell )
Major: Early childhood education
Top Achievement: "The top achievement I'm proud of would either be me being able to hit 19-0 in long jump or winning our district for our 4x100 this recent season."
Why Millersville? "I'm attending Millersville because when I came to visit everyone was so welcoming, and it's very close to home for me."
Goals at Millersville: "To have fun, make friends, pass my classes and perform well in my sport."
MELANIE PALEN
Events (PRs): Shot put (30-11), discus (103-11)
High School (Coach): Quakertown (Jason Anderson, Nicholas Hood, Rudy Levinski, Justin Kucharski
Major: Meteorology
Top Achievement: Earned a varsity letter every year in high school
Why Millersville? MU has such a welcoming atmosphere every time I visit
Goals at Millersville: "See how far I can push myself, educationally and physically."
CAMRON ROUSH
Events (PRs): 100 (12:57), 200 (26.72), long jump (16-2)
High School (Coach): Milton Area (Brian Watler, Lindsay Bauer)
Major: Nuclear Medicine
Top Achievement: "One of my proudest accomplishments is achieving the position of second-fastest 100 time in the history of Milton Track and Field."
Why Millersville? "I chose Millersville because they have a well-known nuclear medicine program and a solid track and field team."
Goals at Millersville: "I wish to drop time on my 100 and do what I can to help the team win PSACs!"
AVA WILSON
Events (PRs): High jump (5-4), 100 hurdles (15-7), 300 hurdles (46-2), pentathlon (2,476)
High School (Coach): Bensalem (Mary Ellen Malloy)
Major: Undecided
Top Achievement: "Leaving my high school with six school records."
Why Millersville? "I am attending Millersville to become a better athlete while furthering my education. This school stood out to me the most and felt like the best fit for me because of what they had to offer here at Millersville."
Goals at Millersville: "To run fast, get good grades and make friends."
ALYSSA YANEK
Events (PRs): Pole vault (9-0)
High School (Coach): Dubois Central Catholic (Andy Skraba, Tom Shade)
Major: Early childhood education
Top Achievement: School record
Why Millersville? "It has a good program for educators."
Goals at Millersville: "Learn new things."
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Multi
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Sprints/Jumps
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Sprints/Jumps
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Outdoor Track and Field
Multi
/ Women's Outdoor Track and FieldMillersville Women's Cross Country: 2024 Atlantic Regional Preview
Thursday, November 07
Cross Country Freedom Memorial Kickoff
Saturday, August 31
Millersville Cross Country: Abbey Sullivan and Morgan Janiuk discuss the upcoming PSAC Championships
Saturday, November 05
Millersville Cross Country's Morgan Janiuk
Saturday, September 03
