Individual Results.
Team Results.
Photo Gallery.
THREE RIVERS, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) —The Eastern Michigan University women's cross country team took fifth place this afternoon at the Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championships in Three Rivers, Mich.
The Eagles improved one spot from last year's sixth place finish, while Toledo brought home the title with 44 points. Central Michigan placed second with 67 points. Miami finished third with 69 points and was followed by Ohio (fourth, 89 points). Rounding out the field were Eastern Michigan (fifth, 157 points), Western Michigan (sixth, 159 points), Akron (seventh, 187 points), Bowling Green(eighth, 235 points), Kent State (ninth, 254 points), Ball State (10th, 274 points), Buffalo (11th, 276 points) and Northern Illinois (12th, 323 points).
Toledo's Ari Fisher won the individual MAC title taking first place in the women's 6,000-meter with a time of 20:05.8.
"It was a good team effort for us,” said Head Coach
Sue Parks. “We didn't have the great day that we needed to be closer to the top teams, but I am pleased that we moved up a place from last year in a tougher field. With five sophomores scoring for us, and our number two runner from last year redshirting and returning next year, the future definitely looks bright.”
Courtney Calka (Livonia, Mich.-Stevenson) led the Eagles with a fifth place overall finish this afternoon. Her time of 21:03.9 also helped earn her first team All-MAC accolades, marking the second time in her career that she has received this honor.
“Courtney did not have the kind of race that she hoped for,” said Parks. “But she is a tough competitor and she will be very motivated to come back strong for NCAA Regionals. Even on a slightly off day, she still improved her finish from last year. To finish 6th and 5th and be first team All-MAC in your first two conference cross country meets is pretty amazing."
Morgan Churchwell (Ada, Mich.-Forest Hills Central) was the next to finish for the Green and White, taking 31st after posting a time of 22:06.6. She was followed by teammate
Rachel Quaintance (White Lake, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern) in 33rd place with a time of 22:15.3.
Tiffany Kincaid (Clarkston, Mich.-Clarkston) crossed the finish line at 22:39.6 for 42nd place, while
Cassie Coffman (Chelsea, Mich.-Chelsea) and
Lauren Quaintance (White Lake, Mich.-Walled Lake Northern) finished 46th and 53rd, respectively.
“I am especially proud of
Morgan Churchwell,
Rachel Quaintance and
Cassie Coffman who didn't even score for us in last year's MAC meet,” said Parks. “But they have worked hard to make an impact this year. It was a tough day with the cold temperatures and wind, but the girls hung in there and ran solid.”
2010 MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Ari Fisher, Toledo
Raeanne Lohner, Central Michigan
Rachel Patterson, Miami
Annie Beecham, Ohio
Courtney Calka, Eastern Michigan
Megan Wright, Toledo
Krista Parks, Central Michigan
2010 MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC Second Team
Emma Kertesz, Toledo
Sam Tomerlin, Western Michigan
Kari Summers, Ohio
Maggie Bingham, Miami
Kylee Kubacki, Central Michigan
Kelley Miller, Miami
Devyn Ramsay, Toledo
2010 MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Kevin Hadsell, Toledo
