DeKalb, Ill. -- For the fifth consecutive season, Eastern Michigan has claimed the Women’s Cross Country Championship title. The Eagles finished with a team total of 60 points, while Northern Illinois finished close behind with a total of 62 points.
NIU's Ashley Tutt took home home the individual title, posting a time of 21:18.5. EMU's Natalie Cizmas crossed the finish line to take second place in a time of 21:28.0, while NIU's Mackenzie Callahan took home third place with a time of 21:47.8.
In addition to Cizmas finishing the Top-10, EMU senior Karlie Swanson ranked fourth as she crossed the line in 21:55.4, while redshirt senior Emily Smith finished in ninth position with a time of 22:13.1.
With the victory, EMU has moved up to third place in MAC cross country titles. Additionally, Eastern's five straight championships are the most consecutive team titles in conference history, with the last streak occurring from 1989-1992 (Ohio).
Following the race, league head coaches selected Eastern Michigan’s Sue Parks as MAC Coach of the Year. This is the sixth time Coach Parks has received this honor (2003 - Ball State, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 - EMU).
The Eagles will go without competition next week as it prepares for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Friday, Nov. 15, in Madison, Wis.
Team Scoring/Final Standings
1. Eastern Michigan -- 60
2. Northern Illinois -- 62
3. Miami -- 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
2019 MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Ashley Tutt, NIU
Natalie Cizmas, Eastern Michigan
Mackenzie Callahan, NIU
Karlie Swanson, Eastern Michigan
Petronela Simiuc, Toledo
Haley Hess, Akron
Mackenzie Andrews, Akron
2019 MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC Second Team
Lindsey Scarton, Akron
Emily Smith, Eastern Michigan
Emma Bryant, Miami
Cayla Eckenroth, Ball State
Madison Sury, Ohio
Ericka Hibser, NIU
Claire Linn, Miami
2019 MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Sue Parks, Eastern Michigan
2019 MAC Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Year
Emily Vining, Toledo
