FINAL RESULTS

HARTVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein solidified itself as one of the top women's cross country dynasties in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) history Saturday morning, running its way to a fourth-straight league title at Sable Creek Golf Course in Hartville.

The Cardinals, ranked No. 27 in the latest national poll, become the first women's XC program since Baldwin Wallace (1999-02) to hold the OAC trophy four years in a row. Fittingly, Otterbein held off the second-place Yellow Jackets by five points in what was a wet and rainy setting.

"It's hard to win one championship, let alone four in a row," head coach Dara Ford said. "This team has had different people step up each week and we certainly had to fight hard for the win today. These seniors have established and reinforced a championship culture."

Senior Claire Lamb continued her impressive stretch with an even more dominating outing than some might have expected, beating the field by 47 seconds to claim her third-straight OAC individual title. Lamb, who finished second as a freshman, covered the 6K course in 22:05 to cross well ahead of runner-up Hilary Reigle from Mount Union.

The Cards delivered a true team effort beyond Lamb's notable performance, landing four others inside the top-20 to help offset the absence of No. 2 runner Heather Sandvik (injury).

Sophomore Lorenza Savini (9th – 23:58) snuck in first team All-OAC honors after second-team recognition a year ago. Senior Katy Foltz (14th – 24:06) becomes a 3x all-conference performer while Allison Rogiers (16th – 24:09) earns the distinction for a first time. She just missed the top-18 cutoff last year.

Sophomore Sydney Smith came in 19th place with a time of 24:13 and Allison Currey (24:31) was a few spots behind. Erin Simko and Rachel Lyda also broke the top-35 for a well-rounded Otterbein effort.

"We have a very competitive conference and none of this has come easy," Ford added. "These women work really hard together and keep each other motivated."

The Cardinals will continue with the same routine of two weeks off before their next important outing, coming November 10 in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional hosted by Franklin. Blue River Park in Shelbyville will be the site.