Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, October 29
Muncie, Ind.
10 a.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Mid-American Conference Championship
Photo by: EMU Athletics/Randy Mascharka
MXC Looks to Capture 16th MAC Championship this Weekend
10/27/2011 3:06:00 PM | Men's XC
The Eagles will head to Muncie, Ind. for the 2011 Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championships
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University men's cross country team will seek its 16th Mid-American Conference Championship in program history this Saturday, Oct. 29 at the highly anticipated 2011 MAC Cross Country Championships in Muncie, Ind.
The Eagles have already established themselves as contenders at the championships, with 15 titles in program history and a conference-best 18 Individual Championships. EMU has also had a coach crowned MAC Coach of the Year 15 times throughout its history, with current Head Coach John Goodridge receiving the most recent honor in 2010 after leading the Green and White to their 15th MAC Championship last season.
During that 2010 Championship run, Terefe Ejigu became the 18th member of the men's cross country program to capture the Individual Championship after crossing the finish line in 24:08.3. His efforts landed him First Team All-MAC recognition, while teammate Harry Dixon was named Second Team All-MAC after placing 12th in 25:07.5. The two join a long list of All-MAC award winners, as EMU currently boasts 112 honorees since joining the conference in 1972.
With months of intense training and preparation in addition to the 2011 squad being tabbed the preseason favorite, Goodridge is confident the Eagles have what it takes to keep the MAC title in Ypsilanti.
"Our training, fitness level and health has steadily improved throughout the season,” said Goodridge. “The team is looking forward to Saturday's challenge."
This year's championships will be held at Muncie Elks Golf Course in Muncie, Ind. Ball State University will host the event. Admission is free to the public.
The championships will begin with the men's 8,000-meter run at 11 a.m., followed by the women's 6,000-meter run at noon. The top men's and women's teams are crowned league champion, while the top 14 individuals in each race are named all-conference. The awards ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. following both events.
A WINNING TRADITION
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
1973 1990 1993 2001 2007
1974 1991 1994 2005 2008
1986 1992 2000 2006 2010
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS
1972 Gordon Minty (29:47.00)
1973 Gordon Minty (30:24.20)
1974 Gordon Minty (29:21.20)
1975 Dave Smith (29:50.40)
1976 Joe Caruso (31:28.00)
1992 Dominic Middleton (24:12.00)
1993 Carl Warren (24:51.00)
1995 Clint Verran (25:28.00)
1997 Ben Reese (25:36.00)
1999 Blake McDowell (24:43.00)
2000 Blake McDowell (24:19.00)
2001 Boaz Cheboiywo (24:11.00)
2002 Gavin Thompson (23:50.20)
2003 Gavin Thompson (23:39.50)
2006 Corey Nowitzke (26:52.60)
2007 Josh Perrin (24:33.00)
2008 Josh Karanja (24:18.70)
2010 Terefe Ejigu (24:08.3)
MAC RUNNERS-UP
1983 Mark Smith (30:26.20)
1991 Mark Dailey (31:15.29)
1992 Clive Bonelle (24:29.00)
1993 Jason Boothroyd (24:54.00)
1998 Ben Reese (24:57.00)
2000 Aaron Bartee (24:22.00)
2005 Corey Nowitzke (24:25.00)
2006 Josh Perrin (27:20.95)
The Eagles have already established themselves as contenders at the championships, with 15 titles in program history and a conference-best 18 Individual Championships. EMU has also had a coach crowned MAC Coach of the Year 15 times throughout its history, with current Head Coach John Goodridge receiving the most recent honor in 2010 after leading the Green and White to their 15th MAC Championship last season.
During that 2010 Championship run, Terefe Ejigu became the 18th member of the men's cross country program to capture the Individual Championship after crossing the finish line in 24:08.3. His efforts landed him First Team All-MAC recognition, while teammate Harry Dixon was named Second Team All-MAC after placing 12th in 25:07.5. The two join a long list of All-MAC award winners, as EMU currently boasts 112 honorees since joining the conference in 1972.
With months of intense training and preparation in addition to the 2011 squad being tabbed the preseason favorite, Goodridge is confident the Eagles have what it takes to keep the MAC title in Ypsilanti.
"Our training, fitness level and health has steadily improved throughout the season,” said Goodridge. “The team is looking forward to Saturday's challenge."
This year's championships will be held at Muncie Elks Golf Course in Muncie, Ind. Ball State University will host the event. Admission is free to the public.
The championships will begin with the men's 8,000-meter run at 11 a.m., followed by the women's 6,000-meter run at noon. The top men's and women's teams are crowned league champion, while the top 14 individuals in each race are named all-conference. The awards ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. following both events.
A WINNING TRADITION
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
1973 1990 1993 2001 2007
1974 1991 1994 2005 2008
1986 1992 2000 2006 2010
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS
1972 Gordon Minty (29:47.00)
1973 Gordon Minty (30:24.20)
1974 Gordon Minty (29:21.20)
1975 Dave Smith (29:50.40)
1976 Joe Caruso (31:28.00)
1992 Dominic Middleton (24:12.00)
1993 Carl Warren (24:51.00)
1995 Clint Verran (25:28.00)
1997 Ben Reese (25:36.00)
1999 Blake McDowell (24:43.00)
2000 Blake McDowell (24:19.00)
2001 Boaz Cheboiywo (24:11.00)
2002 Gavin Thompson (23:50.20)
2003 Gavin Thompson (23:39.50)
2006 Corey Nowitzke (26:52.60)
2007 Josh Perrin (24:33.00)
2008 Josh Karanja (24:18.70)
2010 Terefe Ejigu (24:08.3)
MAC RUNNERS-UP
1983 Mark Smith (30:26.20)
1991 Mark Dailey (31:15.29)
1992 Clive Bonelle (24:29.00)
1993 Jason Boothroyd (24:54.00)
1998 Ben Reese (24:57.00)
2000 Aaron Bartee (24:22.00)
2005 Corey Nowitzke (24:25.00)
2006 Josh Perrin (27:20.95)
Thank You from EMU Cross Country/Track & Field!
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Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Cross Country/Track & Field
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