KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Toledo captured the 2026 Mid-American Conference Women's Cross Country Championship on Friday, securing its sixth consecutive conference title. With the victory, the Rockets established a new MAC record for the longest streak of outright women's cross country championships in conference history.

The Rockets finished with a team total of 25 points, followed by UMass in second place with 97 points and Bowling Green in third with 101 points. Akron finished fourth with 110 points, while Western Michigan rounded out the top five with 132 points.

Akron's Mercy Jebitok claimed the individual championship, finishing first in the women's 6K race with a winning time of 19:19.9 to earn the 2026 MAC Women's Cross Country Individual Champion title. Toledo's Purity Chepkirui was named the MAC Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Year after finishing second overall with a time of 19:26.7.

Toledo head coach Andrea Grove-McDonough earned MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year honors for the sixth consecutive season, becoming the most decorated coach in program history in terms of Coach of the Year awards.

Team Scoring/Final Standings
1. Toledo – 25 points
2. UMass – 97 points
3. Bowling Green – 101 points
4. Akron – 110 points
5. Western Michigan – 132 points
6. Ohio – 142 points
7. Eastern Michigan – 195 points
8. Central Michigan – 197 points
9. Miami – 200 points
10. Ball State – 291 points
11. Buffalo – 310 points
12. Kent State – 327 points
 
2026 MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Mercy Jebitok, Akron
Purity Chepkirui, Toledo
Dorcas Kiptanui, Toledo
Megan Hipple, Akron
Melody Jebiwot, Toledo
Karina James, Toledo
Rachael Hoover, Bowling Green

2026 MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC Second Team
Rylee Shunney, UMass
Bella Earl, Toledo
Ava Kurczewski, Western Michigan
Lianna Surtz, Toledo
Lara Mannes Diaz de Cerio, UMass
Lexi Panning, Bowling Green
Laura Acuna, Toledo

2026 MAC Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Year
Purity Chepkirui, Toledo

2026 MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Andrea Grove-McDonough, Toledo