Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, October 29
Athens, Ohio
11 a.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
MAC Championship
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Cross Country Takes Third at MAC Championships
10/29/2022 3:49:00 PM | Men's XC, Women's XC
Magnusson and Gualter earn First Team All-MAC, Rono Second Team
Women's Photo Gallery | Men's Photo Gallery
ATHENS, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's and women's cross country teams both placed third at the Mid-American Conference Championships, Oct. 29. Three Eagles were named to All-MAC teams, with sophomore Toby Gualter (Tawa, New Zealand-Tawa College) and senior Baldvin Magnusson (Akureyri, Iceland-Hull University) earning first team honors, while junior Faith Rono (Eldoret, Kenya-Middle Tennessee State) was named to the second team.
"Our athletes fought hard today and I'm proud of their effort," said Director/Head Coach Sue Parks. "Our women really put it together as a team. It was a great step forward for us and we're excited to keep the momentum going from here. I know that the men are disappointed not to defend their title but they gave it their best shot and that's all that you can ask for. We had some setbacks this fall which hurt us but that's all part of the game. Toby Gaulter and Vinny Magnusson ran strong in an incredibly competitive men's race. It was a good day for our program overall and we're looking forward to preparing for regionals in two weeks."
"We are obviously disappointed to not win, but credit to Miami and Toledo, they ran great team races," said Head Coach Mark Rinker. "Our guys all ran hard and that is all that anyone can ask. We had some really strong performances led by Toby. We will be excited to use this as motivation to come back stronger next year."
Eastern's women harriers put together their best meet of the season, placing third in the conference. Rono once again led the Eagles, crossing the finish line in 11th place with a 20:39.6 finish. Sophomore Sofia Ivanko (Buenos Aires, Argentina-St. Matthew's College) and senior Esme Davies (Lake District, England-Queen Elizabeth Grammar School) rounded out the top-20, finishing in 15th (21:02.6) and 18th (21:09.3).
Seven women harriers set personal bests in the 6K championship run, including Rono, Ivanko, Davies, junior Marta Moreno (Wassenaar, Netherlands-American School of the Hague) (21:29.9), senior Tabatha Walford (Northamptonshire, England-Bishop Stopford-Nevada) (22:11.3), sophomore Chloie Musta (Mesick, Mich.-Cadillac) (22:30.6), and freshman Kiera Hansen (Freeland, Mich.-Freeland) (23:45.2).
The men's team placed two runners in the top-three with Gualter taking second with a 23:42.2 run and Magnusson in third with a 23:45.1 clip. Two more Eagles finished in the top-20, with senior Marcus Kemp (Kitchener, Ontario-St. Mary's Kitchener) finishing in 15th in 24:17.5 and senior Eddie Zuercher (Rocky River, Ohio-Rocky River) taking 20th with a time of 24:28.5.
Three Eastern harriers set new personal bests in the 8K championship race: Gualter, freshmen Sam Peterson (Charlevoix, Mich.-Charlevoix) (25:33.9) and Brady Messer (Mason, Ohio-Mason) (26:30.6).
Eastern will take one week off to prepare for the NCAA Regionals, Nov. 11, held in Terre Haute, Ind. The meet is slated for a 9 a.m. start. More information will be made available closer to the meet.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF, and Facebook, @EMUXCTF.
2021 MAC Championships
Oct. 29 | Athens, Ohio
* = Personal-best
MAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year: Tom Chorny, Miami
MAC Men's Cross Country Freshman of the Year: Patrick Wills, Miami
Men's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Obsaa Feda, Miami
Toby Gualter, Eastern Michigan
Baldvin Magnusson, Eastern Michigan
Dennis Mutai, Toledo
Ryan Buzby, Buffalo
Matthew Chesum, Toledo
Baidy Ba, Kent State
Men's Cross Country All-MAC Second Team
Mhalicki Bronson, Miami
Joe Farley, Kent State
Jake Bertelsen, Miami
Max Polak, Miami
Adam Rzentkowski, Central Michigan
Ben Otis, Toledo
Geoff Howles, Toledo
MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year: Andrea Grove-McDonough, Toledo
MAC Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Year: Leila Boussedra, Ohio
Women's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Carmen Riano, Miami
Joy Chirchir, Toledo
Faith Linga, Toledo
Ava Nuttall, Miami
Makayla Perez, Western Michigan
Lou Trois, Toledo
Kayla Schiera, Western Michigan
Women's Cross Country All-MAC Second Team
Emily Vining, Toledo
Kailee Perry, Bowling Green
Madeline Vining, Toledo
Faith Rono, Eastern Michigan
Leila Boussedra, Ohio
Julia Dames, Toledo
Theresa Hagey, Ohio
Meet Notes
Men's 8K Team Results
1. Miami (OH) 46
2. Toledo 54
3. Eastern Michigan 79
4. Buffalo 111
5. Kent State 111
6. Ohio 168
7. Central Michigan 175
8. Bowling Green 176
EMU 8K Individual Results
2. Toby Gualter 23:42.2*
3. Baldvin Magnusson 23:45.1
15. Marcus Kemp 24:17.5
20. Eddie Zuercher 24:28.5
44. Sam Peterson 25:33.9*
54. Linus Vennemann 26:01.4
60. Brady Messer 26:30.6*
70. Ronald Brandal 27:24.1
71 runners competed
Women's 6K Team Results
1. Toledo 29
2. Ohio 83
3. Eastern Michigan 106
4. Miami (OH) 126
5. Western Michigan 127
6. Bowling Green 138
7. Central Michigan 161
8. Kent State 209
9. Ball State 253
10. Akron 282
11. Buffalo 292
12. Northern Illinois 350
EMU 6K Individual Results
11. Faith Rono 20:39.6*
15. Sofia Ivanko 21:02.6*
18. Esme Davies 21:09.3*
26. Marta Moreno 21:29.9*
39. Julia Pleskaczynska 21:52.0
44. Tabatha Walford 22:11.3*
57. Chloie Musta 22:30.6*
78. Kaitlyn St. Bernard 23:09.7
87. Kiera Hansen 23:45.2*
103 runners competed
ATHENS, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's and women's cross country teams both placed third at the Mid-American Conference Championships, Oct. 29. Three Eagles were named to All-MAC teams, with sophomore Toby Gualter (Tawa, New Zealand-Tawa College) and senior Baldvin Magnusson (Akureyri, Iceland-Hull University) earning first team honors, while junior Faith Rono (Eldoret, Kenya-Middle Tennessee State) was named to the second team.
"Our athletes fought hard today and I'm proud of their effort," said Director/Head Coach Sue Parks. "Our women really put it together as a team. It was a great step forward for us and we're excited to keep the momentum going from here. I know that the men are disappointed not to defend their title but they gave it their best shot and that's all that you can ask for. We had some setbacks this fall which hurt us but that's all part of the game. Toby Gaulter and Vinny Magnusson ran strong in an incredibly competitive men's race. It was a good day for our program overall and we're looking forward to preparing for regionals in two weeks."
"We are obviously disappointed to not win, but credit to Miami and Toledo, they ran great team races," said Head Coach Mark Rinker. "Our guys all ran hard and that is all that anyone can ask. We had some really strong performances led by Toby. We will be excited to use this as motivation to come back stronger next year."
Eastern's women harriers put together their best meet of the season, placing third in the conference. Rono once again led the Eagles, crossing the finish line in 11th place with a 20:39.6 finish. Sophomore Sofia Ivanko (Buenos Aires, Argentina-St. Matthew's College) and senior Esme Davies (Lake District, England-Queen Elizabeth Grammar School) rounded out the top-20, finishing in 15th (21:02.6) and 18th (21:09.3).
Seven women harriers set personal bests in the 6K championship run, including Rono, Ivanko, Davies, junior Marta Moreno (Wassenaar, Netherlands-American School of the Hague) (21:29.9), senior Tabatha Walford (Northamptonshire, England-Bishop Stopford-Nevada) (22:11.3), sophomore Chloie Musta (Mesick, Mich.-Cadillac) (22:30.6), and freshman Kiera Hansen (Freeland, Mich.-Freeland) (23:45.2).
The men's team placed two runners in the top-three with Gualter taking second with a 23:42.2 run and Magnusson in third with a 23:45.1 clip. Two more Eagles finished in the top-20, with senior Marcus Kemp (Kitchener, Ontario-St. Mary's Kitchener) finishing in 15th in 24:17.5 and senior Eddie Zuercher (Rocky River, Ohio-Rocky River) taking 20th with a time of 24:28.5.
Three Eastern harriers set new personal bests in the 8K championship race: Gualter, freshmen Sam Peterson (Charlevoix, Mich.-Charlevoix) (25:33.9) and Brady Messer (Mason, Ohio-Mason) (26:30.6).
Eastern will take one week off to prepare for the NCAA Regionals, Nov. 11, held in Terre Haute, Ind. The meet is slated for a 9 a.m. start. More information will be made available closer to the meet.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF, and Facebook, @EMUXCTF.
2021 MAC Championships
Oct. 29 | Athens, Ohio
* = Personal-best
MAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year: Tom Chorny, Miami
MAC Men's Cross Country Freshman of the Year: Patrick Wills, Miami
Men's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Obsaa Feda, Miami
Toby Gualter, Eastern Michigan
Baldvin Magnusson, Eastern Michigan
Dennis Mutai, Toledo
Ryan Buzby, Buffalo
Matthew Chesum, Toledo
Baidy Ba, Kent State
Men's Cross Country All-MAC Second Team
Mhalicki Bronson, Miami
Joe Farley, Kent State
Jake Bertelsen, Miami
Max Polak, Miami
Adam Rzentkowski, Central Michigan
Ben Otis, Toledo
Geoff Howles, Toledo
MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year: Andrea Grove-McDonough, Toledo
MAC Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Year: Leila Boussedra, Ohio
Women's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Carmen Riano, Miami
Joy Chirchir, Toledo
Faith Linga, Toledo
Ava Nuttall, Miami
Makayla Perez, Western Michigan
Lou Trois, Toledo
Kayla Schiera, Western Michigan
Women's Cross Country All-MAC Second Team
Emily Vining, Toledo
Kailee Perry, Bowling Green
Madeline Vining, Toledo
Faith Rono, Eastern Michigan
Leila Boussedra, Ohio
Julia Dames, Toledo
Theresa Hagey, Ohio
Meet Notes
Men's 8K Team Results
1. Miami (OH) 46
2. Toledo 54
3. Eastern Michigan 79
4. Buffalo 111
5. Kent State 111
6. Ohio 168
7. Central Michigan 175
8. Bowling Green 176
EMU 8K Individual Results
2. Toby Gualter 23:42.2*
3. Baldvin Magnusson 23:45.1
15. Marcus Kemp 24:17.5
20. Eddie Zuercher 24:28.5
44. Sam Peterson 25:33.9*
54. Linus Vennemann 26:01.4
60. Brady Messer 26:30.6*
70. Ronald Brandal 27:24.1
71 runners competed
Women's 6K Team Results
1. Toledo 29
2. Ohio 83
3. Eastern Michigan 106
4. Miami (OH) 126
5. Western Michigan 127
6. Bowling Green 138
7. Central Michigan 161
8. Kent State 209
9. Ball State 253
10. Akron 282
11. Buffalo 292
12. Northern Illinois 350
EMU 6K Individual Results
11. Faith Rono 20:39.6*
15. Sofia Ivanko 21:02.6*
18. Esme Davies 21:09.3*
26. Marta Moreno 21:29.9*
39. Julia Pleskaczynska 21:52.0
44. Tabatha Walford 22:11.3*
57. Chloie Musta 22:30.6*
78. Kaitlyn St. Bernard 23:09.7
87. Kiera Hansen 23:45.2*
103 runners competed
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