MUNCIE, Ind. – Camille Jackson (Ames, Iowa/Ames) led the way for the Northern Illinois University cross country team at the Mid-American Conference Championship on Saturday (Nov. 2). Jackson ran a time of 22:58.37 as the Huskies finished 12th overall.

Toledo won the team title with a score of 32 points, Mercy Kinyanjui of the Rockets earned the individual crown, running a time of 20:13. 91. 

"We got better today," said NIU head coach Juan Carrillo. "For Camille (Jackson), this was her best time since her sophomore year at Colorado, so that is a lot of progress. Bailey (Wilk) ran a season-best today. One-two we were solid, people are getting better at the right time, at three, four and five, we could have been more competitive but even at three, four and five, we were faster than we were last year at this championship."

Jackson's time was over 20 seconds better than her previous season-best at six kilometers (23:22.2) as she finished 70th overall. Bailey Wilk (Huntley, Ill./Huntley) was three places behind Jackson with a time of 23:09.3, which was also a six-kilometer season-best. 

Rachel Dietrich (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) crossed the line in a time of 24:36.3, Emma Vorpagel (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) ran 24:40.3 and Morgan Gioia (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South) posted a time of 24:41.4 to finish in scoring places for the Huskies. 

"It's part of the process we are building," Carrillo said of today's meet. "We have people coming in next year that are going to help us keep moving up. The future is promising, this is part of the process and we are going to stay positive and keep moving forward."

NIU will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 15, when the Huskies compete in the NCAA Midwest Regional, hosted by Bradley, in Peoria, Ill. 


Team Scores
1. Toledo, 32
2. Ohio, 82
3. Eastern Michigan, 92
4. Bowling Green, 102
5. Central Michigan, 119
12. NIU, 364

NIU Individuals
70. Camille Jackson, 22:58.4
73. Bailey Wilk, 23:09.3
93. Rachel Dietrich, 24:36.3
94. Emma Vorpagel, 24:40.3
95. Morgan Gioia, 24:41.4