Akron Captures MAC Men's Cross Country Championship

Saturday, October 28

Bowling Green, Ohio

11:00 AM

University of Akron

Mid-American Conference Championships

Akron Captures MAC Men's Cross Country Championship

October 28 | Cross Country

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MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: MEN'S FINAL RESULTS | WOMEN'S FINAL RESULTS | PHOTO GALLERY | MEET INFORMATION | LIVE RESULTS | LIVE VIDEO

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The University of Akron men's cross country team made a triumphant return to the Mid-American Conference Championships as the Zips captured the program's first ever league title on Saturday (Oct. 28) at the Mel Brodt Cross Country Course on the campus of Bowling Green.

After bringing back men's cross country this season after a four-year hiatus, the Zips bested Toledo to earn the team crown as four Zips finished in the top 10 led by freshman Timothy Chesondin (Eldoret, Kenya), who placed second in a career-best 8K time of 23:59.82.

On the women's side, Akron earned a fifth-place showing led by freshman Mary Munga (Nyandarua, Kenya) garnering First-Team All-MAC honors on the strength of a fourth-place finish in career-best 6K time of 20:45.64.

Chesondin and Munga were rewarded for their efforts as the duo was named the MAC Men's and Women's Freshman of the Year.

Chesondin led Akron's performances in the men's race crossing the line in a cross country 8K school-record time of 23:59.82.

Following tightly behind with the second-fastest time in program history was freshman Brian Masai (Kitale, Kenya), who placed third in 24:01.39. Adding the third-fastest time in program history, 24:21.75, to finish fifth was redshirt senior Chase Easterling (Mt. Orab, Ohio).

The trio of Chesondin, Masai and Easterling collected First-Team All-MAC honors for their efforts, while freshman Titus Kirui (Eldoret, Kenya) garnered Second-Team All-MAC accolades finishing 12th in 24:41.71.

Rounding out Akron's scoring efforts with a career-best time of 25:18.60 to place 33rd was senior Kyle Stober (Mogadore, Ohio).

Additionally, freshmen Majid Abuaun (Rocky River, Ohio), sophomore Anthony Nichols (Silver Lake, Ohio), freshmen Zayd Elkurd, (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) and senior Jean Dieuvil (North Miami Beach, Fla.) added times of 25:56.79, 26:39.44, 27:31.29 and 28:19.09, respectively.

Munga earned First-Team All-MAC accolades on the strength of placing fourth in the women's 6K in 20:45.64.

Turning in career-best times of 21:15.60, 21:41.39 and 21:42.17, respectively, was freshman Megan Hipple (Warren, Ohio) and juniors Halle Sebest (Poland, Ohio) and Danielle Honaker (Ashland, Ohio).

Wrapping up the Zips' scoring efforts with a time of 22:19.98 was freshman Kayla Gonzales (Shelby, Ohio).

Additionally, senior Makenna Heimlich (Shelby, Ohio), freshmen Kayla Sucharski (Galena, Ohio) and Lauren LaRue (Oregon, Ohio) and junior Hannah Kerr (Chillicothe, Ohio) registered times of 23:12.91, 23:33.43, 23:53.93 and 24:03.00.

The Zips return to competition traveling to Madison, Wis., for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Nov. 10.

MEN'S RESULTS: Timothy Chesondin (2nd-23:59.82*), Brian Masai (3rd-24:01.39*), Chase Easterling (5th-24:21.75*), Titus Kurui (12th-24:41.71), Kyle Stober (33rd-25:18.60*), Majid Abuaun (59th-25:56.79*), Anthony Nichols (67th-26:39.44*), Zayd Elkurd (77th-27:31.29), Jean Dieuvil (78th-28:19.09)

MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS: 1) Akron (55 points), 2) Toledo (59), 3) Miami (61), 4) Buffalo (103), 5) Eastern Michigan (139), 6) Kent State (151), 7) Ohio (156), 8) Central Michigan (216), 9) Bowling Green (229)

WOMEN'S RESULTS: Mary Munga (4th-20:45.64*), Megan Hipple (16th-21:15.60*), Halle Sebest (30th-21:41.39*), Danielle Honaker (31st-21:42.17*), Kayla Gonzales (44th-22:19.98), Makenna Heimlich (80th-23:12.91), Kayla Sucharski (87th-23:33.43*), Lauren LaRue (89th-23:53.93), Hannah Kerr (91st-24:03.00)

WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS: 1) Toledo (69 points), 2) Eastern Michigan (76), 3) Ohio (77), 4) Bowling Green (117), 5) Akron (125), 6) Central Michigan (129), 7) Western Michigan (164), 8) Miami (203), 9) Buffalo (241), 10) Ball State (257), 11) Northern Illinois (310), 12) Kent State (320)

* denotes career-best time