ATHENS, Ohio – Sophomore Joy Chirchir and senior Faith Linga had a 2-3 finish to lead the University of Toledo women's cross country team to its second consecutive MAC Women's Cross Country Championship title at the Ohio University Golf Course on Saturday.

Toledo, ranked No. 16 nationally, placed five runners in the top 10. Chirchir finished second in the 6K with a PR time of 19:36.9 and was followed by Linga who clocked a PR time of 19:49.1. Senior Lou Trois finished sixth with a PR of 20:31.8, senior Emily Vining recorded a PR of 20:34.1 for an eighth-place finish, and senior Madeline Vining rounded out the top-10 with a PR of 20:36.7.

Senior Julia Dames finished 13th overall, freshman McKinley Fielding finished her first conference race in 20th place, senior Paige Embaugh clocked in at 31th place, and freshman Bailey Ranta followed in 32nd in her first conference race. Eight of the nine Rockets in the race set personal-best times.

Toledo's 29 team points was 54 points ahead of second-place Ohio, which finished with 83 points. It was the eighth MAC Championship for the Rockets, and second under Head Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough.

"I'm really proud of both of our programs," Grove-McDonough said. "That was what we hoped to do today. Our goal was to put five in the top-10, so I feel really good about that. That group of women out there, I think the top-eight women are all national qualifiers as individuals at some point in their NCAA career. It's remarkable the depth the conference has right now up front. Now, we're trying to turn the page as quickly as we can and focus on trying to get ourselves into that NCAA race."

Chirchir, Linga, and Trois were named First-Team All-MAC, while Emily Vining, Madeline Vining and Dames were named Second-Team All-MAC. Grove-McDonough was named MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Toledo will next attempt to qualify for the NCAA Championship Meet at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional in Terre Haute, Ind. on Friday, Nov. 11.

2022 MAC Cross Country Championships
Athens, Ohio | Ohio University Golf Course
Saturday, Oct. 29

Women's 6K Team Results
1. Toledo – 29 pts.
2. Ohio – 83 pts.
3. Eastern Michigan – 106 pts.
4. Miami – 126 pts.
5. Western Michigan – 127 pts.
6. Bowling Green – 138 pts.
7. Central Michigan – 161 pts.
8. Kent State – 209 pts.
9. Ball State – 253 pts.
10. Akron – 282 pts.
11. Buffalo – 292 pts.
12. Northern Illinois – 350 pts.

Top-5 Individual Runners
1. Carmen Riano, Miami – 19:30.9
2. Joy Chirchir, Toledo – 19:36.9
3. Faith Linga, Toledo – 19:49.1
4. Ava Nuttall, Miami – 20:13.2
5. Makayla Perez, Western Michigan – 20:23.4

Toledo Individual Finishes
2. Joy Chirchir – 19:36.9 *PR
3. Faith Linga – 19:49.1 *PR
6. Lou Trois – 20:31.8 *PR
8. Emily Vining – 20:34.1 *PR
10. Madeline Vining – 20:36.7 *PR
13. Julia Dames – 20:56.6
20. McKinley Fielding – 21:18.7 *PR
31. Paige Embaugh – 21:35.7 *PR
32. Bailey Ranta – 21:42.8 *PR

2022 MAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year
Andrea Grove-McDonough

2022 MAC Women's Cross Country First-Team All-MAC
Carmen Riano, Miami
Joy Chirchir, Toledo
Faith Linga, Toledo
Ava Nuttall, Miami
Makayla Perez, Western Michigan
Lou Trois, Toledo
Kayla Schiera, Western Michigan

2022 MAC Women's Cross Country Second-Team All-MAC
Emily Vining, Toledo
Kailee Perry, Bowling Green
Madeline Vining, Toledo
Faith Rono, Eastern Michigan
Leila Boussedra, Ohio
Julia Dames, Toledo
Theresa Hagey, Ohio