BOWLING GREEN, OHIO  -- The Akron Zips captured the 2023 MAC Men's Cross Country Championship, their first in program history. Akron finished with a team total of 55 points, followed by Toledo with a total of 59 points. 

Toledo's Dennis Mutai claimed the individual title with an 8K time of 23:57.19. The win marked the first individual conference title in program history 

Akron's Timothy Chesondin earned Freshman of the Year honors for his second finish. Chesondin led Akron's performances in the men's race crossing the line in a cross country 8K school-record time of 23:59.82.

Following the race, Toledo associate Head Coach Tito Medrano was named MAC Men's Coach of the Year as well, leading the Rockets to their third consecutive runner-up finish.

Following tightly behind with the second-fastest time in program history was freshman Brian Masai, who placed third in 24:01.39. Adding the third-fastest time in program history, 24:21.75, to finish fifth was redshirt senior Chase Easterling.

The trio of Chesondin, Masai and Easterling collected First-Team All-MAC honors for their efforts, while freshman Titus Kirui garnered Second-Team All-MAC accolades finishing 12th in 24:41.71.

Rounding out Akron's scoring efforts with a career-best time of 25:18.60 to place 33rd was senior Kyle Stober.

MAC cross country squads will return to competition for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Nov. 10 in Madison, Wisc.