YPSILANTI, Mich. – Brooke Lytle (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha West) claimed a top-50 finish as the Northern Illinois University women's cross country team competed in the Mid-American Conference Championship on Saturday (Oct. 30) at Eagle Crest Golf Club. 

"We are disappointed with where we finished but, at the same time, I am proud of our team, they gave it everything they had," said NIU head coach Jamie Moreno. "We have been dealing with a few different injuries and on a different day we probably could have finished four or five places higher. We are disappointed but we will keep working and be ready to give it everything we have next time."

Lytle ran a time of 22:37.1 to finish 45th overall and lead the Huskies for the third time in five meets this fall. Victoria Robinson (Lansing, Kan./Kansas State) was the second Huskie across the line with a time of 22:47.5, finishing 51st. Sara Atkins (Warrenville, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South) was just behind Robinson with a time of 22:54.8 to take 58th.

The next four Huskies across the line were all within 20 seconds as Julia Finegan (Palatine, Ill./Fremd) ran a time of 23:10.6 to earn 68th. Hannah Ricci (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) was 73rd, running 23:16.1, Joy Jackson (North Aurora, Ill./Benet Academy) had a time of 23:22.6 while Kaitlin Miller (Rochester, Minn./Rochester County) clocked in with a time of 23:31.2.

Toledo won the team title with a score of 32 points, ahead of second-place Miami who scored 61 points. Toledo's Joy Chirchir won the individual crown in a time of 20:23.2. 

NIU will now look ahead to the NCAA Midwest Regional on Friday, Nov. 12, in Iowa City, Iowa. 


Team Standings
1. Toledo, 32
2. Miami, 61
3. Akron, 92
4. Bowling Green, 136
5. Ohio, 155
6. Central Michigan, 163
7. Ball State, 195
8. Kent State, 220
9. Eastern Michigan, 227
10. Buffalo, 245
11. Western Michigan, 269
12. NIU, 282

NIU Individuals
45. Brooke Lytle, 22:37.1
51. Victoria Robinson, 22:47.5
58. Sara Atkins, 22:54.8
68. Julia Finegan, 23:10.6
73. Hannah Ricci, 23:16.1
80. Joy Jackson, 23:22.6
83. Kaitlin Miller, 23:31.2
88. Katelyn Robbins, 24:04.1
91. Emma Vorpagel, 24:15.2