CANTON, Ohio- Already nationally and regionally ranked, Cedarville’s program lived up to the high expectations by taking home the title at the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Women’s Cross Country Championship on Saturday Morning.
The Yellow Jackets had a handful of student-athletes, including five in the top 10, to help Cedarville win their third straight title. Jeff Bolender was voted the Great Midwest Coach of the Year for women’s cross country. Bolender has the Yellow Jackets ranked No. 18 in the coaches poll and No. 3 in the Midwest Region. Freshman Abby Drosdak was named the Freshman of the Year. Drosdak finished first among all freshman with a time of 22:44.8 and earned first-team all-conference honors.
Cedarville clocked a team time of 1:51.50 with senior Hannah Rhem leading the pack. Rhem earned a spot on the first-team all-conference list with a time of 21:50.7 and finishing second overall. Savannah Ackley, Corinne Lynch, and Aubrey Harrington join Rhem and Drosdak, finishing third, fourth, and seventh, respectively.
The Cavaliers from Walsh University had five athletes finish in the top 20 to help lead Walsh to a second place team finish. Walsh was led by Camryn Barker, who earned first-team all-conference honors with a sixth place finish.
Findlay rounds out the top three, led by junior Ava Beam. Beam finished twelfth overall with a time of 23:00.00.
Hillsdale’s Liz Wamsley was awarded the 2023 Runner of the Year award, finishing 13.1 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. Wamsley clocked a 6K time of 21:37.6, which ranks as the third fastest time this season.
Tiffin’s Charlotte Campbell, Ursuline’s Emma Esteves, and Northwood’s Taylor Hopkins round out the first-team honorees.
The Elite 26 Award was presented to Malone’s Kendall Anenson, a senior majoring in biochemistry with a focus on exercise science.
Cedarville won its eighth team title in the last 11 years and third consecutive title. The Yellow Jackets also claimed top team honors in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, & 2022.
Teams will start preparation for the NCAA Midwest Regional in Evansville, IN. on Saturday, Nov. 4. The Division II National Championship will take place on Nov. 18 in Joplin, MO.