Toledo, Ohio – The University of Toledo women's cross country team had five runners in the top 25, pushing the Rockets to a second-place finish at the Mid-American Conference championship meet at Ottawa Park Golf Course in Toledo today. Junior Athena Welsh was the individual runner-up after finishing the 6,000-meter race in 20:37.9.
 
"Athena's had an amazing season and she's carried it through today with a second-place MAC finish," said head coach Linh Nguyen.
 
Sophomore Michelle Hostettler was the second Rocket across the line with a time of 21:38.8 to take 16th. Claire Steigerwald was the first freshman to finish (21:43.4) and placed 19th. Seniors Jennifer Licher (21:48.9) and Petronela Simiuc (21:50.5) took 21st and 22nd, respectively. 

Welsh was named All-MAC First Team and Steigerwald was named MAC Freshman of the Year. 

Eastern Michigan took the team title with 76 points, just four points ahead of Toledo's total.
 
"I think the team all ran a good, strategic race. Unfortunately, we just came up four points short of a title," Nguyen said. "I know that the girls are heartbroken and I'm heartbroken for them because they worked so hard, but you run as hard as you can and the chips fall where they fall." 
 
The Midnight Blue & Gold are looking ahead to the upcoming NCAA Regionals in Terre Haute, Ind. on Nov. 9. 

"That's a larger field and it suits us better the way our team is made up," Nguyen said. "We're going to try to be the top MAC team and be as high up in that as we can for the women." 

2018 MAC Women's Cross Country Championship Meet

Toledo Individual Awards
Athena Welsh - All-MAC First Team
Claire Steigerwald - Freshman of the Year

Team Standings
1. Eastern Michigan – 76 points
2. Toledo – 80 points
3. Miami – 97 points
4. Northern Illinois – 127 points
5. Western Michigan – 136 points
6. Central Michigan – 142 points
7. Bowling Green – 155 points
8. Akron – 171 points
9. Ohio – 208 points
10. Kent State – 233 points
11 Ball State – 305 points
12 Buffalo – 335 points
 
Top 5 Individuals
1. Natalie Cizmas – Eastern Michigan – 20:34.9
2. Athena Welsh – Toledo – 20:37.9
3. Rachel Walny – Bowling Green – 20:41.9
4. Sydney Meyers – Eastern Michigan – 20:44.9
5. Sarah Anderson – Western Michigan – 20:48.4
 
Toledo Individuals
2. Athena Welsh – 20:41.9
16. Michelle Hostettler – 21:38.8
19. Claire Steigerwald – 21:43.4
21. Jennifer Lichter – 21:48.9
22. Petronela Simiuc – 21:50.5
29. Stephanie Sherman – 22:09.5
30. Olivia Chinn – 22:11.2
59. Rebecca Snyder – 22:44.8
68. Roma Lucarelli – 22:57.2