EVANSVILLE, Ind. — MAC programs delivered strong performances at the 2025 NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Friday, highlighted by NCAA qualifiers and record-setting results on both sides.

WOMEN’S RACE
Toledo finished third, matching the best regional finish in program history. Junior Karina James led the Rockets with a 13th-place, career-best 20:22.86, helping Toledo total 104 points and finish ahead of every other MAC team and several Power Four opponents, including Michigan, Cincinnati and Ohio State.

Bowling Green posted its best regional showing since 1998. Senior Kylee Cubbison broke the school 6K record with a 20:24.05 to place 14th and earn All-Region honors. The Falcons placed five runners inside the top 50.

Ohio closed the season with the women placing 8th and the men 11th, three spots better than their regional ranking. Senior Allie Martin led the Bobcats with a 40th-place finish in 21:02.26.

Akron freshman Mercy Jebitok placed 6th in a career-best 20:02.73 and is expected to qualify for the NCAA Championships.

MEN’S RACE
Toledo junior Joad Martinho punched his ticket to the NCAA Men’s Cross Country Championships with a 5th-place, career-best 29:50.85. He becomes just the fifth Rocket ever to qualify and makes it back-to-back years Toledo sends an individual to nationals.

The Rockets placed 7th as a team, their best regional finish in program history, finishing ahead of all other MAC programs and beating Purdue, Ohio State and Indiana.

Akron placed two runners inside the top 11. Bismack Kipchirchir finished 6th in 29:54.83, securing his second straight NCAA Championship appearance. Junior Titus Kirui placed 11th with a career-best 30:02.92 and remains in contention for an at-large bid.

Selections for the 2025 NCAA Championships will be announced Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. on NCAA.com.