Cross Country Set for 2021 MAC Championships

Saturday, October 30

Ypsilanti, MI

MAC Championships

Cross Country Set for 2021 MAC Championships

10/29/2021 12:01:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio men's and women's cross country programs are set for the 2021 Mid-American Conference Championships Saturday, Oct. 30 in Ypsilanti, Mich. This year's championships are hosted by Eastern Michigan and will take place at the Eagle Crest Country Club.

The championships kick off with the men's 8K at 11 a.m. followed by the women's 6K at 12 p.m.

A total of eight men's teams will battle it out for the MAC title: Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami, Ohio, and Toledo. Three teams in the men's race are ranked in the Great Lakes Region top-15 according to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) included are EMU (eighth), Miami (10th), and UT (14th). Meanwhile, Buffalo is ranked 13th in the Northeast Region

Josh Park (Amherst, Ohio) looks to repeat as the MAC men's individual champion and earn the honor for the third time in four years, after winning in 2018 as well. Park has led the Bobcats over the course of the season, including setting a new school record at the Lou Classic when he finished in 23:57.9.

Meanwhile, Seth Gard (Eaton, Ohio) has also helped the Bobcats over the course of the season, completing multiple top-20 finishes.

Meanwhile on the women's side, 12 teams will battle it out for this year's championship. The USTFCCCA has Toledo (fifth), Miami (10th), Akron (11th), and Ball State (12th) all ranked in the Great Lakes Region.

For the women, Sophia Hoersten (Hillard, Ohio) and Hailey Bowes (Arlington Heights, Ill.) have both been consistent as the Bobcats' top finishers this season.

The Bobcats are led by first-year head coach Sarah Pease.

Following the MAC Championships, both teams will look to prepare even further for the Great Lakes Regional. The regional meet is hosted by the University of Evansville on Friday, Nov. 12. The first race will be the women's 6K at 11 a.m. CT, followed by the men's 10K race at 12 p.m. CT. The top-two teams from each race at the meet automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships.

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