TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Toledo men's cross country team took second place, its highest finish in school history, at the 2021 MAC Men's Cross Country Championship at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Saturday. The Rockets had 67 team points, trailing only host Eastern Michigan's total of 30.

Toledo's previous best finish at the league meet was fifth, which it had done twice before, including at last year's conference championship.

Junior Jacob Harris paced the Rockets with a time of 24:25.0, good for fourth place in the 8K race. Ben Otis (8^th/24:37.7), Mathew Chesum (10^th/24:42.4), Jake Rethman (21^st/25:17.4) and Geoff Howles (26^th/25:30.8) rounded out Toledo's scoring. Harris earned first-team All-MAC honors, while Otis and Chesum made the All-MAC second team.

"Our men had such an incredible race," said Head Coach Andrea Grove McDonough. "It was super fun to watch them. That last 1000 meters they were so tough. It's an historic day. We've come so far in such a short time. (Assistant Coach) Nick Stenuf, who guides the men's team, has done a great job. He knew that they could do this. He had been a little frustrated with the team earlier because they weren't totally putting it together. He really re-focused them and got them back on track, and they came together as a team."

"We had a game plan. Our men just came out and did what they are capable of," said Stenuf. "That was our motto this year. Do what you are capable of, the rest will take care of itself. I couldn't be more proud. Every guy fought for everyone on the team, and not just for the team you see here. This started years ago with our alumni and the generations that have helped build this program."

For Harris, this was the third Top-10 finish of his career. He took sixth at the 2019 MAC Championships and was seventh last season.

"It was a great day for the team," said Harris. "I think others we're surprised at how we finished but we weren't. We knew we were capable of this."
 
2021 MAC Men's Cross Country Championship
Saturday, Oct. 30
Ypsilanti, Mich.
Team Standings – 8K

Full Results

1. Eastern Michigan - 30 points
2. Toledo - 67 points
3. Miami - 87 points
4. Ohio - 101 points
5. Buffalo - 146 points
6. Kent State - 155 points
7. Central Michigan - 164 points
8. Bowling Green - 195 points
 
2021 MAC Men's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Baldvin Magnusson, Eastern Michigan
Josh Park, Ohio
Toby Gualter, Eastern Michigan
Jacob Harris, Toledo
Josh Hill, Eastern Michigan
Anthony Camerieri, Miami
Seth Gard, Ohio 
 
2021 MAC Men's Cross Country All-MAC Second Team
Ben Otis, Toledo
Chris Devaney, Eastern Michigan
Matthew Chesum, Toledo
Drew Johnson, Kent State
Andy Payne, Eastern Michigan
Adam Rzentkowski, Central Michigan
Michael Tonkovich, Ohio
 
2021 MAC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Mark Rinker, Eastern Michigan
  
2021 MAC Men's Cross Country Freshman of the Year
Baidy Ba, Kent State

Top 5 Individuals - Men
1.Baldvin Magnusson, EMU – 24:05.7
2. Josh Park, EMU – 24:08.2
3. Toby Gualter, EMU – 24:15.1
4. Jacob Harris, Toledo – 24:25.0
5. Josh Hill, EMU – 24:31.7

Toledo Individual Results
4. Jacob Harris – 24:25.0
8. Ben Otis – 24:37.7
10. Mathew Chesum – 24:42.4
21. Jake Rethman – 25:17.4
26. Ben Towler – 25:30.8
28. Kassim Kibet – 25:32.1
41. Jonathon Hrivnak – 26:12.2
49. Gavin Lammers – 26:35.0