AMHERST, NY -- The Toledo Rockets captured the 2025 Mid-American Conference Championship on Saturday with a team total of 32 points. The Ohio Bobcats finished the day tallying a total of 62 points, with Bowling Green following closely behind at 67 points. This marks the 11th conference championship for the Rockets, the most in league history by any school.
Toledo dominated the race, capturing five of the top 15 positions in the race for 32 points. Ohio came in second with 62 points.
Karina James crossed the finish line with a final time of 20:28.8 to become the eighth Rocket to win an individual crown. She is the second in the past two years after Mercy Kinyanjui took the individual title in 2024.
Melody Jebiwot followed behind James, placing fourth with a mark of 20:48.7 while Dorcas Jeptoo Kiptanui placed fifth (20:55.5) in her first competition for Toledo. Lianna Surtz (seventh/20:55.5) and Hannah Ielfield (15th/21:16.8) rounded out the scoring for UT.
James, Jebiwot, Jeptoo Kiptanui and Surtz all earned First Team All-MAC honors. This is the first time all four Rockets have brought home First Team accolades and second consecutive season that Jebiwot and Surtz have earned All-MAC honors.
Toledo's Andrea Grove-McDonough was named the MAC Coach of the Year for the fifth consecutive season. She is tied for the most in program history with Kevin Hadsell (2001, 2002, 2010-12).
Team Scoring/Final Standings
1. Toledo - 32 points
2. Ohio - 62 points
3. Bowling Green - 67 points
4. Central Michigan - 164 points
5. Miami - 171 points
6. Western Michigan - 174 points
7. UMass - 187 points
8. Buffalo - 207 points
9. Akron - 226 points
10. Eastern Michigan - 296 points
11. Ball State - 298 points
12. Kent State - 325 points
13. Northern Illinois - 338 points
2025 MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Karina James, Toledo
Mercy Jebitok, Akron
Kylee Cubbsion, Bowling Green
Melody Jebiwot, Toledo
Dorcas Kiptanui, Toledo
Kelsi Harris, Ohio
Lianna Surtz, Toledo
2025 MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC Second Team
Leila Boussedra, Ohio
Allie Martin, Ohio
Rachael Withrow, Bowling Green
Kyah Hoffman, Central Michigan
Lexi Panning, Bowling Green
Marisa Heil, Miami
2025 MAC Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Year
Mercy Jebitok, Akron
2025 MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Andrea Grove-McDonough, Toledo
