WILMINGTON, Ohio -- For the first time in the program's history, the John Carroll University Women's Cross Country Team is back-to-back Ohio Athletic Conference Champions. 

In 2019, the Blue Streaks took home the championship title but unfortunately could not compete last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Today's first-place finish results in the Blue Streaks fourth OAC Championship title. 

Coming into today's championship 6K, the team was ranked No. 1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. 

"To win back-to-back championships (no championship contested last year) was a first for the women, and they showed up," noted JCU's Head Coach Kyle Basista. "There is more pressure that comes with coming in as the favorite and the ladies stay composed. They worked really well pushing together and running for each other. Overall just really proud of their efforts today.

John Carroll held off the rest of the OAC competitors, finishing with 35 points. In the top five, John Carroll's first-place finish was followed by Mount Union (66 points), Ohio Northern (78 points), Baldwin Wallace (101 points) and Otterbein (129 points). 

The championship came courtesy of the strong and experienced upperclassmen the Blue Streaks have. 

In the top 10, John Carroll paved the way for being OAC Champions once again due to five top 10 finishes. 

The fastest runner on Saturday for the Blue Streaks was junior Sydney Jenko. Jenko, who finished first place in the 2019 OAC Championship, took home the fourth-place honors in the meet with a time of 23:40. 

Two spots behind Jenko, a trio of upperclassmen Blue Streaks crossed the finish line adding crucial points. Erica Esper captured a sixth-place finish by posting a time of 23:47, Cameron Bujaucius took seventh with a time of 23:53 and Rory Vigrass notched eighth place with a 23:55 finishing time. 

"It was awesome winning the OAC championships back to back," said Esper. "Having everyone toe up on the line at the same time (no open/varsity separate races) is such a special experience. We ran for and with each other, and that led us to success!"

Sarah Weldon rounded out the top 10 in the race, finishing in the tenth spot with a 24:02 mark. 

Seniors Moira Anderson, Marie Pinzone and Shauna Glavin added extra insurance points for the Blue Streaks with their top 20 finishes. 

Katy Fellenstein, Ellie Kitsmiller, Katie Vasiliauskas, Danica Hruby, Anastasia Bakuhn, Elizabeth Heim, Brooke Butler and Audrey Sadd all competed in the 6K championship race for John Carroll as well. 

The Blue and Gold will look to carry over their momentum and make their mark next on the national level. John Carroll will travel to Blue River Park in Shelbyville, Indiana, to compete at the NCAA DIII Great Lakes Regional Championship on Saturday, Nov. 13. Currently, the Blue Streaks are ranked  No. 4 in the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional poll.