Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, November 17
Madison, Wis.
11:45 a.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
NCAA Championships
Cizmas and Meyers Close out 2018 Cross Country Season
11/17/2018 5:20:00 PM | Women's XC
The co-captains finished side-by-side, with Cizmas placing 74th and Meyers crossing in 75th
Complete Results
MADISON, Wis. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University women's cross country team closed out its 2018 season at the NCAA Championships Saturday, Nov. 17, with redshirt senior Natalie Cizmas (Clinton Twp., Mich.-Chippewa Valley) and senior Sydney Meyers (Zionsville, Ind.-Zionsville Community) representing EMU.
"I know that Natalie and Sydney were hoping for more but it was definitely a solid race for both of them," explained EMU Head Coach Sue Parks. "This is such a tough field, they needed a great race to break into that All-American group and it just wasn't there for them today. But I feel that they represented themselves very well and I'm very proud of all of their accomplishments throughout the season. They have been amazing front runners and leaders for the team and it was great to see them finish their seasons at the highest level.".
The two finished side-by-side, as Cizmas placed 74th with a time of 20:56 and Meyers claimed 75th with a mark of 20:56.2. The duo also improved their placements from last year's title race by over 70, as Cizmas finished 151st and Meyers placed 161st in the 2017 meet.
"I'm very pleased with Natalie's season," Parks stated. "She didn't compete in cross country for us her first two years and each season has been a learning experience. I feel that she made some great progress this fall and we're excited to have her return in 2019."
Although she missed out on All-American status, Cizmas closes the 2018 season as the individual Mid-American Conference Champion, and a member of both the All-MAC First Team and NCAA Great Lakes All-Region Team. The co-captain was also granted another year of competition, meaning she will return for the 2019 season looking to lead Eastern to a fifth consecutive MAC Championship, while having the opportunity to become the first Eagle to participate in the NCAA Championship in all four years of competition.
"Sydney has been a strong contributor to the team for four years and she will definitely be missed," said Parks. "Its an incredible achievement to be a top-five scorer for four consecutive MAC Championship teams. She is one of the most consistent runners that I've ever coached and she has always been the ultimate big-meet performer."
In her final cross country season donning the Green and White, Meyers concluded her cross country career as a three-time All-MAC and two-time all-region honoree, while serving as a scorer in all four MAC Championship team wins. Additionally, with her performance in today's meet, she is just one-of-two Eagles to have taken part in three NCAA Championships during their career.
With the cross country season in the books, fans can now turn their attention to the indoor track and field season, with the first meet scheduled to begin Dec. 7 in Allendale, Mich.
EMU Individual Results
74. Natalie Cizmas 20:56.0
75. Sydney Meyers 20:56.2
MADISON, Wis. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University women's cross country team closed out its 2018 season at the NCAA Championships Saturday, Nov. 17, with redshirt senior Natalie Cizmas (Clinton Twp., Mich.-Chippewa Valley) and senior Sydney Meyers (Zionsville, Ind.-Zionsville Community) representing EMU.
"I know that Natalie and Sydney were hoping for more but it was definitely a solid race for both of them," explained EMU Head Coach Sue Parks. "This is such a tough field, they needed a great race to break into that All-American group and it just wasn't there for them today. But I feel that they represented themselves very well and I'm very proud of all of their accomplishments throughout the season. They have been amazing front runners and leaders for the team and it was great to see them finish their seasons at the highest level.".
The two finished side-by-side, as Cizmas placed 74th with a time of 20:56 and Meyers claimed 75th with a mark of 20:56.2. The duo also improved their placements from last year's title race by over 70, as Cizmas finished 151st and Meyers placed 161st in the 2017 meet.
"I'm very pleased with Natalie's season," Parks stated. "She didn't compete in cross country for us her first two years and each season has been a learning experience. I feel that she made some great progress this fall and we're excited to have her return in 2019."
Although she missed out on All-American status, Cizmas closes the 2018 season as the individual Mid-American Conference Champion, and a member of both the All-MAC First Team and NCAA Great Lakes All-Region Team. The co-captain was also granted another year of competition, meaning she will return for the 2019 season looking to lead Eastern to a fifth consecutive MAC Championship, while having the opportunity to become the first Eagle to participate in the NCAA Championship in all four years of competition.
"Sydney has been a strong contributor to the team for four years and she will definitely be missed," said Parks. "Its an incredible achievement to be a top-five scorer for four consecutive MAC Championship teams. She is one of the most consistent runners that I've ever coached and she has always been the ultimate big-meet performer."
In her final cross country season donning the Green and White, Meyers concluded her cross country career as a three-time All-MAC and two-time all-region honoree, while serving as a scorer in all four MAC Championship team wins. Additionally, with her performance in today's meet, she is just one-of-two Eagles to have taken part in three NCAA Championships during their career.
With the cross country season in the books, fans can now turn their attention to the indoor track and field season, with the first meet scheduled to begin Dec. 7 in Allendale, Mich.
EMU Individual Results
74. Natalie Cizmas 20:56.0
75. Sydney Meyers 20:56.2
Players Mentioned
/ Women's XC
/ Women's XC
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