Toledo women’s cross country falls six points short of advancing to National Championship race

After falling three points short of a fourth consecutive Mid-American Conference title, the University of Toledo women’s cross country team faced more heartbreak at the NCAA Regionals last weekend in Madison, Wis.

Two weeks after being upset in the MAC Championship race, the Rockets missed on qualifying for the National Championship by one place and seven points.

UT finished eighth out of 33 teams.

“We are capable of doing better, I know we all tried our hardest and we are all proud of each other,” said UT junior runner Megan Wright. “But I feel that we all, including myself, could’ve done just a little more. But that’s all part of the learning experience and we will be back at it [next year].”

The women’s team was led by Wright and junior Brooke Tullis. They were UT’s top two finishers as each recorded their best times of the year, running the 6K in 21:09 and 21:07, respectively. The first team All-MAC selections each finished in the top 30 with Tullis placing 27th and Wright finishing 29th.

“I think with our wins from earlier in the season, we would have gotten in with seventh place but we fell six points short,” said head coach Linh Nguyen. “Between the MAC Championships and Regionals, we were a combined nine points from a very different season. Brooke has asserted herself as a leader in races and Megan Wright ran a strong race today.” 

Every women’s runner placed within the top 90 of the regional finals for UT. The team just missed the cut to compete in the NCAA championship race. 

“We are already looking forward to the things we can do to improve in indoor and this coming up season,” said Wright. “Being so close to something really puts a fire in your eye.”

Juniors Mackenzie Chojnacky, Megan Gaysunas and Priscilla Timmons rounded out the top five finishers for the Rockets as they placed 52nd, 56th and 63rd, respectively.

With all juniors being top-five finishers, Toledo will be coming into next season as favorites to win the MAC and also qualify for the NCAA championship.

“I’m extremely proud of these women,” Nguyen said. “They work very hard and are dedicated to doing things the right way. This is a group that stays focused and will learn from this and get better.”

The men’s team finished 20th out of 31 teams while running one of their best races of the year. 

Junior Jake Kasperski led the way for the men, running the 10K in 32:31 and placing 82nd. Junior Hillary Serem also finished in the top 100, placing 95th with a time of 32:55.

“I’m very happy with the way the men ran today,” Nguyen said. “Things finally started to click with them on racing tactics. Jake had his best race of the season and it started with him getting out strong and taking a chance…overall, it was a very solid race and a good step in the right direction.”

Both teams’ seasons came to a close with Friday’s meet, but they will continue competing in the winter with indoor meets. The women will also be competing in outdoor track and field where they will field the distance-running team for UT.