TOLEDO, Ohio – Freshman Joy Chirchir crossed the finish line first and led four Rockets among the top seven runners as the University of Toledo ran away with the 2021 MAC Women's Cross Country Championship title at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Saturday.

Chirchir won the 6K race in a time of 20:23.2, and was followed by senior Semra Karaslan (2nd/20:36.2), junior Faith Linga (5th/20:56.9) and junior Lou Trois (7th/21:10.5) in the top 10. Sophomore Emily Vining rounded out Toledo's scoring with a time of 21:42.4 to take 17^th place.  

Toledo's score of 32 points was well ahead of second-place Miami (61 points) to capture its first league crown since 2014. Head Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough said the victory helped make up for her team's narrow second-place finish in 2020.

"It's a great feeling," said Grove-McDonough, who was named the MAC Women's Coach of the Year. "This time last year we were watching Northern Illinois celebrate. It was a tough loss. It's been 364 days that I've been thinking about that so it's fun being the team that gets it done. I knew if we executed our plan and took care of business that we could win."

Chirchir, who was named MAC Freshman of the Year, led from almost the very start and was never seriously challenged.

"It was not my plan, but I was comfortable to be in front," said Chirchir, from Eldoret, Kenya. "I was like, this is my race. I have to go get it."

"Joy has been a star from the get-go," said Grove-McDonough. "But what makes Joy special is she is a team player. For her, the team win means more to her than her individual win. She's a great leader who works super hard. It's just fun to see her shine like that."

Chirchir, Karaslan, Linga and Trois all were named First-Team All-MAC.

2021 MAC Women's Cross Country Championship
Saturday, Oct. 30
Ypsilanti, Mich.
Team Standings – Women's 6K

1. Toledo – 32 points
2. Miami – 61 points
3. Akron  – 92 points
4. Bowling Green – 136 points
5. Ohio – 155 points
6. Central Michigan – 163 points
7. Ball State – 195 points
8. Kent State – 220 points
9. Eastern Michigan – 227 points
10. Buffalo – 245 points
11. Western Michigan – 269 points
12. Northern Illinois – 282 points
 
Top 5 Individuals – Women
1. Joy Chirchir, Toledo - 20:23.2
2. Semra Karaslan, Toledo - 20:36.2
3. Carmen Riano, Miami – 20:45.0
4. Elka Machan, Ball State – 20:46.9
5. Faith Linga – 20:56.9

Toledo Individual Results -
1. Joy Chirchir - 20:23.2
2. Semra Karaslan - 20:36.2
5. Faith Linga – 20:56.9
7. Lou Trois - 21:10.5
17. Emily Vining 21:42.4
20. Claire Steigerwald 21:48.6
22. Morgan Hicks – 21:56.7
43. Madeline Vining - 22:35.0
59. Julia Dames – 22:56.0

2021 MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Andrea Grove-McDonough, Toledo
 
2021 MAC Women's Cross Country Freshman of the Year
Joy Chirchir, Toledo

2021 MAC Women's Cross Country All-MAC First Team
Joy Chirchir, Toledo
Semra Karaslan, Toledo
Carmen Riano, Miami
Elka Machan, Ball State
Faith Linga, Toledo
Beth Arentz, Akron
Lou Trois, Toledo