Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, November 2
DeKalb, Ill.
Eastern Michigan University
at
MAC Championships
Women's Cross Country Earns Fifth Straight MAC Championship
11/2/2019 4:31:00 PM | Women's XC
Five consecutive team titles is the longest streak in Mid-American Conference history
Photo Gallery.
Sue Parks Interview.
DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's cross country team captured its fifth consecutive Mid-American Conference Championship Saturday, Nov. 2, in DeKalb, Ill. The Eagles scored a team total of 60 points as they became the first women's cross country program in MAC history to win five straight team titles.
Sue Parks was named MAC Coach of the Year as the Eagles narrowly defeated Northern Illinois University, who hosted the 6K event and finished with a team score of 62 points. The result, combined with the men's victory earlier in the day, marks the fourth time in the last five seasons that EMU has swept the MAC Championships.
"It was an unbelievable day," said Parks. "I'm incredibly proud of the team and how hard they fought for this win. We had a really poor showing at Pre-Nationals two weeks ago but everyone worked hard to regroup and correct what we needed to for today's race. The girls deserve so much credit for staying positive and believing that we could bounce back and win."
"We knew that if we could put together five solid races on the same day, we would have a shot at the title but NIU ran a great race and it was a tough battle the whole way," added Parks. "The girls fought until the end and really showed what they are made of today. We're very excited to win this championship and carry on the tradition. What a great day for Eastern Michigan!"
Graduate student and defending individual champion Natalie Cizmas (Clinton Twp., Mich.-Chippewa Valley) was one of three Eagles to finish in the top-10, as she claimed second place with a time of 21:28.0. Senior Karlie Swanson (New South Wales, Australia-Bellingen) ranked fourth as she crossed the line in 21:55.4, while redshirt senior Emily Smith (Somerset, England-Wells Cathedral School) finished in ninth position with a time of 22:13.1.
Junior Madison Distelrath (Fort Wayne, Ind.-Homestead) ended the race in 15th as she clocked in at 22:29.2, while sophomore Kailtyn St. Bernard (Newport, Mich.-Jefferson) also finished in the points as she placed 30th at 22:55.2. Additionally, sophomore Emily DeLine (Newport, Mich.-Airport) was 32nd with a time of 22:55.9, before freshman Esme Davies (Lake District, England-Queen Elizabeth Grammar School) recorded 54th place as she posted a time of 23:26.2. Sophomores Lexi Seifert (Waterford, Pa.-Villa Maria Academy) and Janay Hall (Fayetteville, N.C.-South View) wrapped up the meet with times of 23:52.9 and 24:00.2, respectively.
Eastern will go without competition next week as it prepares for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Friday, Nov. 15, in Madison, Wis.
Team Results
1. Eastern Michigan - 60
2. Northern Illinois - 62
3. Miami (Ohio) – 93
4. Toledo - 102
5. Akron - 117
6. Ball State - 156
7. Ohio - 199
8. Western Michigan - 222
9. Buffalo - 224
10. Bowling Green - 251
11. Kent State - 268
12. Central Michigan - 311
EMU Individual Results
2. Natalie Cizmas 21:28.0
4. Karlie Swanson 21:55.4
9. Emily Smith 22:13.1
15. Madison Distelrath 22:29.2
30. Kaitlyn St. Bernard 22:55.2
32. Emily DeLine 22:55.9
54. Esme Davies 23:26.2
68. Lexi Seifert 23:52.9
74. Janay Hall 24:00.2
Sue Parks Interview.
DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's cross country team captured its fifth consecutive Mid-American Conference Championship Saturday, Nov. 2, in DeKalb, Ill. The Eagles scored a team total of 60 points as they became the first women's cross country program in MAC history to win five straight team titles.
Sue Parks was named MAC Coach of the Year as the Eagles narrowly defeated Northern Illinois University, who hosted the 6K event and finished with a team score of 62 points. The result, combined with the men's victory earlier in the day, marks the fourth time in the last five seasons that EMU has swept the MAC Championships.
"It was an unbelievable day," said Parks. "I'm incredibly proud of the team and how hard they fought for this win. We had a really poor showing at Pre-Nationals two weeks ago but everyone worked hard to regroup and correct what we needed to for today's race. The girls deserve so much credit for staying positive and believing that we could bounce back and win."
"We knew that if we could put together five solid races on the same day, we would have a shot at the title but NIU ran a great race and it was a tough battle the whole way," added Parks. "The girls fought until the end and really showed what they are made of today. We're very excited to win this championship and carry on the tradition. What a great day for Eastern Michigan!"
Graduate student and defending individual champion Natalie Cizmas (Clinton Twp., Mich.-Chippewa Valley) was one of three Eagles to finish in the top-10, as she claimed second place with a time of 21:28.0. Senior Karlie Swanson (New South Wales, Australia-Bellingen) ranked fourth as she crossed the line in 21:55.4, while redshirt senior Emily Smith (Somerset, England-Wells Cathedral School) finished in ninth position with a time of 22:13.1.
Junior Madison Distelrath (Fort Wayne, Ind.-Homestead) ended the race in 15th as she clocked in at 22:29.2, while sophomore Kailtyn St. Bernard (Newport, Mich.-Jefferson) also finished in the points as she placed 30th at 22:55.2. Additionally, sophomore Emily DeLine (Newport, Mich.-Airport) was 32nd with a time of 22:55.9, before freshman Esme Davies (Lake District, England-Queen Elizabeth Grammar School) recorded 54th place as she posted a time of 23:26.2. Sophomores Lexi Seifert (Waterford, Pa.-Villa Maria Academy) and Janay Hall (Fayetteville, N.C.-South View) wrapped up the meet with times of 23:52.9 and 24:00.2, respectively.
Eastern will go without competition next week as it prepares for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Friday, Nov. 15, in Madison, Wis.
Team Results
1. Eastern Michigan - 60
2. Northern Illinois - 62
3. Miami (Ohio) – 93
4. Toledo - 102
5. Akron - 117
6. Ball State - 156
7. Ohio - 199
8. Western Michigan - 222
9. Buffalo - 224
10. Bowling Green - 251
11. Kent State - 268
12. Central Michigan - 311
EMU Individual Results
2. Natalie Cizmas 21:28.0
4. Karlie Swanson 21:55.4
9. Emily Smith 22:13.1
15. Madison Distelrath 22:29.2
30. Kaitlyn St. Bernard 22:55.2
32. Emily DeLine 22:55.9
54. Esme Davies 23:26.2
68. Lexi Seifert 23:52.9
74. Janay Hall 24:00.2
"It was just a battle the whole way. NIU was really tough ... we were just fortunate to come out on top." -- @EMUWXC_TF Head Coach Sue Parks @EMUAthletics | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/x4Fst4R1lk
— #MACtion (@MACSports) November 2, 2019
Players Mentioned
/ Women's XC
/ Women's XC
/ Women's XC
/ Women's XC
/ Women's XC
/ Women's XC
/ Women's XC
/ Women's XC
/ Women's XC
Track & Field at 2025 Spartan Invitational
Tuesday, April 08
2025 MAC Indoor Track & Field Championships Cinematic Recap
Wednesday, March 05
2025 MAC Indoor Track & Field Championships Day 1 Highlights
Saturday, March 01
2025 MAC Indoor Championships Hype Video
Wednesday, February 26