Women’s Cross Country Wins 4th Straight Ohio Athletic Conference Title

10/28/2023 10:39:00 PM | By: Erica Esper, Senior Staff Writer

The Blue Streaks notched five runners in the top 10 on Saturday.

FINDLAY, Ohio – John Carroll Women's Cross Country made history today. The women continued their conference title run since 2019* for a 4-peat, closing out their 2023 regular season on a high note.

Full Individual and Team Results

"I am so excited that we were able to win OACs for the fourth year in a row," declared veteran senior Brooke Butler. "I have been blessed with the ability to wear the JCU uniform for the past four years. This year's team is the closest we have ever been."

Fellow senior Audrey Sadd echoed Butler's gratitude. "I love this team so much and the people on it. Go Streaks!"

The Blue Streaks placed 8 runners in the top 18, leading to a dominating 32 total point finish and 30 points over runners-up Ohio Northern (62 total points).

Sophomore Abby Schroff led the charge for the Blue Streaks with a runner-up individual finish and First Team All-Conference honors, crossing the line in a time of 22:08:52.

"It's a very satisfying and enlightening feeling," Schroff said of her team and individual finishes. "It feels good when all of our hard work and training starts to slowly pay off."

A mere 15.05 seconds later, a pack of Blue Streaks stormed down the homestretch.

Seniors Amanda Keim (22:23.57- 6th place), Claire Eberhardt (22:24.93- 7th place), Annie Higgins (22:26.07- 8th place), and junior Ellie Kitsmiller (22:37.79- 9th place) went 6-7-8-9 in the race to secure the commanding victory. The quartet earned First Team All-Conference individual honors, for the first time in all four of their careers.

Other notable finishes include junior Morgan Edwards, junior Sarah Weldon, and freshman Grace McKoon. The duo of Edwards and Weldon placed within 7.42 seconds of each other, earning 11th (22:42.66) and 13th (22:50.08) place finishes for Second Team All-Conference honors. McKoon continued on her impressive first-year campaign, placing 18th overall and the 3rd true-freshman in the conference.

The Blue Streaks now turn their attention to the postseason regional meet in two-weeks. On November 11, they will host the regional meet at Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton, Ohio.

"We need to continue working on running together and for each other like we have all season," said Schroff when asked about the postseason. "We are ready to race and compete hard. We have a very hardworking and special group of girls and we are all ready to give it all we've got in two weeks."

*Excluding 2020 due to COVID-19

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