The 1997 cross country season was again an impressive one for the Mary Washington College striders, as the Eagle women won their sixth Capital Athletic Conference title in seven years and sent a runner to the NCAA Championships, while the MWC men took second at CACs with four all-conference runners.
The Mary Washington women had a very successful season, taking first place in the Mason-Dixon Championships, first in the Capital Athletic Conference Championships (with nine all-conference runners), and third at the NCAA Regional Championships. Rising sophomore Jaimie Donaruma led the Eagles attack, finishing second at CAC's en route to winning CAC Rookie of the Year, and earning a berth in the NCAA Championships in Boston, MA, as a result of her 7th place finish at NCAA regionals.
Others garnering all-CAC accolades were Caitlin McGurk, Julie Rakowski, Erin Murray, Teresa Joerger, Beth Goodall, Kristin Neviackas, Marga Fischel, and Leah Sullivan. MWC has won six of the seven CAC cross country titles for men and six of seven for women, dating back to 1991.