BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- For the second consecutive year, the Western Michigan cross country team was able to have two student-athletes earn All-MAC honors at the Mid-American Conference Championships. Danielle Rinn (First Team) and Kayla Schiera (Second Team) each finished in the top-12 and helped the team finish seventh at the event.

It also marked the first time since 2017-2018 that the Broncos had back-to-back All-MAC First Team performers. Hanne Christensen (2017) and Sarah Anderson were the last pair to accomplish that feat. Additionally, WMU hasn't had four All-MAC performers over a two-year stretch since 2017-18. 

The Broncos were picked eighth in the preseason coaches poll, elevating themselves to the seventh spot. The final standings were: Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Ohio, Bowling Green, Akron, Central Michigan, WMU, Miami, Buffalo, Ball State, Northern Illinois and Kent State. 

"We left everything out on the course today," head coach Kevin Cataldo said. "It's not the team result that we want, but that's how it goes sometimes. We did have a good amount of personal best times and veterans stepping up for us. Danielle and Kayla were great working together. It was the first time all year that they were able to pack run together due to some setbacks. We had a young group led by CJ who were able to get experience racing at a high level at a young age that will help us out in the years to come. I thought Katelyn and Brooke really helped us out and moved through the field well in the later portions of the race."

Rinn paced the team, finishing seventh, which marks her third top-10 finish in her last four races. She crossed the finish line in 20:52.39 and became the third First Team All-MAC performer in the last two seasons for the Brown and Gold. 

Following her was Schiera, who was able to grab 12th place with a time of 21:03.96. That was good enough for Second Team All-MAC honors and marks the second straight season Schiera has been named All-MAC.

Chloe Nixon had a great first MAC XC Championship race, collecting 39th place with a time of 22:03.09. Nixon finished as one of the top freshman in the race. The fourth Bronco to cross the finish line was Katelyn Spooner, as she posted a 52nd-place finish. She had a time of 22:27.59. 

Rounding out the scoring lineup was Brooke Soper, who nabbed 55th place with a time of 22:31.21. Larissa McGrath, Madison Clor, Madison Zarembski and Delaney Knoll also raced for Western Michigan, each finishing in under 24 minutes. 

UP NEXT
The Broncos will shift their focus to the Great Lakes Regional meet, which is set for Nov. 10 in Madison, Wisc.