TOLEDO, Ohio – The Western Michigan cross country team scored 136 points to place fifth of 12 teams at the 2018 Mid-American Conference Championships, while three Broncos earned All-MAC honors on Saturday, Oct. 27 at Ottawa Park Golf Course, hosted by the University of Toledo.
Sarah Anderson, Maria McDaniel, and Juliane Sormain paced the Broncos, each earning All-MAC honors. The last time Western Michigan had three runners earn All-MAC honors was over 30 years ago, in 1986.
Eastern Michigan took home first place, placing two runners inside the top-five. They were also the only other team to have three student-athletes on the All-MAC teams.
As a team, the Brown & Gold averaged a 6k time of 21.50. Senior Sarah Anderson led WMU, improving upon her previous personal best 6k time set a couple weeks back. Anderson crossed the finish line at 20:48.4 to finish in fifth place and earn All-MAC First Team recognition, improving on her Second Team finish last season.
Maria McDaniel and Juliane Sormain finished second and third for WMU, finishing ninth and 14th, respectively to receive All-MAC Second Team honors. McDaniel, who bounced back from injuries the past two seasons, clocked a time of 21:17. She previously earned All-MAC First Team honors in 2014 and 2015. Sormain set a personal best time of 21:32.6, her career-best finish at the conference meet.Â
"I am really proud of the efforts of the women today," said associate head coach Taryn Sheehan. "Sarah, Maria, and Juliane really got after the race from the front and executed at a very high level. Brittney had a strong race and has set personal bests every time she has lined up this season."
In addition, Brittney Hall, Chloe McEachern, and Courtney Allen all set career-best 6k times. Paisley Sipes finished as the Broncos' fifth runner with a time of 22:58, her second-best 6k time during her freshman season.Â
"We have some more sharpening to do the next two weeks but I think there is still some good racing ahead at the Great Lakes Championship in a few weeks," Sheehan concluded.
Bronco Results
5. Sarah Anderson, 20:48.4
9. Maria McDaniel, 21:17.0
14. Juliane Sormain, 21:32.6
46. Brittney Hall, 22:32.1
69. Paisley Sipes, 22:58.0
78. Chloe McEachern, 23:10.8
83. Courtney Allen, 23:19.6
101. Haley Ritsema, 23:54.6
105. Cheryl White, 26:29.8
Up next, Western Michigan prepares for the NCAA Great Lakes regional race, Friday, Nov. 9 in Terre Haute, Ind.Â
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2018 MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Natalie Cizmas, Eastern Michigan
Athena Welsh, Toledo
Rachel Walny, Bowling Green
Sydney Meyers, Eastern Michigan
Sarah Anderson, Western Michigan
Megan O'Neill, Central Michigan
Alesha Vovk, Miami
2018Â MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC Second Team
Ashley Tutt, Northern Illinois
Maria McDaniel, Western Michigan
Kirsten Olling, Central Michigan
Mackenzie Callahan, Northern Illinois
Alyssa Atkinson, Ohio
Emily Smith, Eastern Michigan
Juliane Sormain, Western Michigan
2018Â MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Sue Parks, Eastern Michigan
2018Â MAC Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Year
Claire Steigerwald, Toledo
