For many runners the conference championship meet has been circled on their calendar since pre-season. This past weekend was what all those miles of training led to and runners showed their post-season form.  Conference does not determine rather a team or individual moves on to the Regional meet. PSAC and Pacific West did not run their championships this weekend but will run them next weekend. As usual, I encourage readers to supplement my article by contributing their knowledge about various individuals, teams, and conferences. It is never too early to start talking about Regionals and how these conference championships will affect them.

CCAA- Chico State’s Jimmy Elam led his team to their eighth conference title with winning the individual title in a time of 24:50.3 over the 8k course. He was followed by teammate Brent Handa (24:57.2) and Cal Poly Pomano’s Jersain Torres (25:01). Chico took the team title with 20 points placing six in the top 10. Cal Poly Pomano was second with 53 points and Humboldt State was third with 75 points.

Cal St. La’s Vivien Wadeck took the women’s title with a time of 21:52.6 over the 6k course.  UC San Diego’s Bre Schofield was second (22:13.5) and Chico’s Julie Shaw was third (22:21.6). Chico took the women’s title with 33 points. UC San Diego was second with 84 points and Cal Poly Pomano was third with 91 points.

CACC-  Holy Family College’s Fred Tuwei won the 8k race won the race in 26:57.48 over Philadelphia’s Shawn Andrea (27:29.77) and Wilmington’s Bill Steele (27:48.56). Philadelphia won with 32 points followed by Wilmington with 43 points and Felician with 73 points.

In the women’s race, Wilmington’s Danielle Burcham won the 5k race in 19:52.68. Philadelphia’s Sarah Simonetti was second with a time of 20:18.61 and Georgian Court’s Justine Berger was third in 20:20.15. Philadelphia took the conference title with 31 points followed by Georgian Court with 61 points and Dominican was third with 122 points.

CIAA-In the men’s race, Saint Augustine’s Johnny Shuping won the 8k in 24:59.3 over Virginia Union’s Geoffrey Langat (25:37.9) and Saint Augustine teammate George Smith (26:23.2). Despite placing three in the top six, Saint Augustine was second with 67 points behind Bowie State with 42 points. Virginia State was third with 83 points.

Saint Augustine’s Barbara Pierre won the women’s 5k race in 20:10.6. Livingstone’s Winnie Chepchumba was second in 20:31.1 and Bowie State’s Shamika Patton was third in 20:47.2. Saint Augustine and Bowie State tied for first with 44 points. If the tie-breaker was put in place Saint Augustine would be in first. Virginia State was second with 59 points.
                        
Conference Carolinas- Even without their frontrunner, Michael Crouch, Queen’s men’s team perfect scored to win the title. Oscar Ogwaro won the 8k race in 24:18. He was followed by five of his teammates (Futsum Mebrahtu-24:21, Simon Stuetzel-25:03, Nelson Mwangi-25:19 and Matthew Rowell-25:39). Lees Mcrae was second with 79 points and Anderson was third with 114 points.

Anderson’s Whitney Bishoff defended her conference title winning the 5k race in 18:00. Queen’s Jessica Neville was second with a time of 18:28 followed by teammate, Maraya Slatter with time of 18:36. Queen’s claimed their first title with 50 points edging out Lees-Mcrae by 2 points. Limestone was third with 103 points.

East Coast Conference-In the men’s race it was NYIT’s Nicholas Koiyet who took the individual title with a time of 27:11.8. He was followed closely by freshman teammate, Daniel Rono (27:13.2). C.W. Post’s Christian Alaturmura was third in a time of 27:53.4. C.W. Post took the team title with 44 points followed by Molloy with 75 points and NYIT with 87 points.

NYIT took the first three places with Jeptui Cherutich garnering the title with a 5k time of 18:42.0. She was followed by Jackline Toek (19:29.5) and Yvonne Boinett (19:41.3). Queens and NYIT shared the conference title both scoring 50 points. C.W. Post was next with 63 points.

GLIAC- The Grand Valley State University men's and women's cross country teams each claimed the conference title. In the men’s race, Grand Valley’s Tyler Emmorey won the individual title in the time of 24:38.6 over the 8k course. He was followed by teammate, Ross Faassee (24:42.2) and Saginaw Valley’s Steve Genther (24:47.5). Grand Valley placed their top six in the top 10 and scored 21 points. Saginaw valley was second with 53 points and Hillsdale was third with 90 points.

In the women’s race, Ferris State’s Tina Muir took the individual title covering the 6k course in 21:20.2. Grand Valley State duo of Megan Maceratini (21:33.1) and Katherine McCarthy (21:42.8) were second and third. Grand Valley placed seven in the top eight to take the team title with 20 points. Ferris State was second with 67 points. Hillsdale was third with 85 points.

GLVC- Both of University of Southern Indiana’s men’s and women’s team took home the conference title. In the men’s race, Drury’s Jaime Villa Zapatero was the first to cross the line in the time of 25:00.93 over the 8k course.  He was followed by Northern Kentucky’s Drew Harris (25:10.69) and Southern Indiana’s Brendan Devine (25:16.29). Southern Indiana took first with 36 points followed by Drury (65) and Bellarmine (90).

University of Southern Indiana’s Mary Ballinger took the women’s individual title with a time of 21:46.29 over the 6k course. The Lewis duo of Amanda Porter (22:39.26) and Kathryn Hague (22:46.57) were second and third. University of Southern Indiana took the team title with 24 points and placing five in the top ten. Bellarmine was second with 75 points. Northern Kentucky University was third with 83 points.

GNAC- Alaska Anchorage’s Marko Cheseto won his second individual title with a time of 24:50 over the 8k course. He was followed by the Western Washington duo of Bennett Grimes (25:05) and Jordan Welling (25:08). Western Washington took the team with 33 points. Alaska Anchorage was second with 70 points and Western Oregon was third with 74 points.

Defending DII Cross Country champion, Seattle Pacific’s Jessica Pixler won her fourth straight GNAC Cross Country title with a time of 21:03 over the 6k course. Western Washington’s Sarah Porter was only ten seconds behind with a time of 21:13. Alaska Anchorage’s Miriam Kipngeno rounded out the top three with the time 22:02. Alaska Anchorage took the team title with 25 points and only a 16 second difference between their first and fifth runner. Seattle Pacific was second with 48 points and Western Washington was third with 64 points.

Gulf South Conference- Harding’s Daniel Kirwa led his team to the title, taking first in a time of 25:47. His teammate Philip Biwott finished second (25:55), followed by UAH's Josh Moshier (26:17). Harding finished first with 31 points. University of West Georgia was second with 68 points and University of Alabama-Huntsville was third with 73 points.

Harding’s Katy Grant took first by two seconds (18:40) over Arkansas Tech’s Bailee Miller (18:42) over the 5k course. Harding won the team competition with 20 points. University of West Florida was second with 85 points and Arkansas Tech was third with 109 points.

Heartland Conference- University of Incarnate Word scored a low 26 to take home the men’s team title. Newman took home second place scoring 53 points, and Dallas Baptist followed in third scoring 80 team points. UIW’s Shayn Weidner ran across the 8k course in 25:53 to claim the individual title. Newman’s  Chris Taylor from and Incarnate Word’s  Howard Gill from Incarnate Word battled it out behind Weidner for second place with Taylor edging out Gill by only they finished in a time of 26:29.

In the women’s race, Dallas Baptist’s Hannah Steffan took home the individual title with a time of 22:40 over the 6k course. She was followed by teammate, Laura Mucho (23:04) and Newman’s Melissa Ortiz (23:15). Dallas Baptist took home their second consecutive Championship as they finished with six runners in the top ten to score a season low 21 points.  Incarnate Word followed in second place with 78 points, and Newman University scored 86 points for third.

Lone Star Conference- In the men’s race it was Abilene Christian’s Amos Sang who took the individual title with a time of 24:44 over the 8k course. His teammate, Cleophaus Tanui was second in 25:21 and Cameron’s Julius Korir was 25:47. Abilene Christian took home the team title with 33 points followed by Tarelton State with 75 points.

On the women’s side, Midwestern State’s Sydney Cole won the women’s title in 23:02 over the 6k course. Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Erica Alvarado was second in 23:36.9. West Texas A&M Aries Bazaldua was third in 23:46.4.  Midwestern State claimed first with 70 points. Angelo State was not far behind with 73 points and East Central was third with 92 point.

MIAA- Missouri Southern took home both the men’s and women’s conference title. In the men’s team title race they won over 47-53 Pittsburg State. Southwest Baptist’s Michael Pierce took the individual title with a time of 24:35.23 over an 8k course. Central Missouri’s Laban Sialo was second (24:44.46) and Missouri Southern’s Brennon Benkert was third (24:52.81).

Missouri Southern’s Kimi Shank won her second straight individual championship to lead Missouri Southern to a dominating team win. Shank covered the 6k course in 21:01.07. She was followed closely by teammate Ashley Siler (21:19.57) and Truman’s Dani Dell’Ocro (21:34.91). Missouri Southern took the team title with 18 points placing their top eight within the top seven. Truman was second with 57 points and Pittsburg State was third with 68 points.

Northeast-10 Conference-  Stonehill’s men’s and women’s teams took the team title. American International freshman Glarius Rop cruised to victory, finishing in a meet-record 24:22.2 winning by 42 seconds over Stonehill junior Kevin Gill (25:04.5) over the 8k distance. UMass Lowell’s Timothy Guerin was third in 25:05.2. Stonehill scored 36 points to claim the team title over UMass Lowell (45 points).

In the women’s race, Southern Connecticut’s Laura Brustolon won the individual title covering the 5k distance in 18:03.8.  Stonehill’s Erin Carmone was second in 18:23.2. UMass Lowell’s Lyra Clark was third in 18:47.6. Stonehill won with 37 points followed by UMass Lowell with 53 points and Southern Connecticut with 127 points.

Northern Sun Conference- Augustana won both the men’s and women’s team title. Augustana finished with 36 points, beating Minnesota State Mankato who came in with 68 points and MSU Moorhead who had 86 points. Minnesota State Mankato’s James Krajsa took the individual title covering the 8k course in 25:33. Augustana’s Tom Karbo was second in 25:45.8 and Minnesota State Moorhead’s Kyle Eckhoff was third in 25:48.8.

Augustana’s women finished in first place with 38 points. Minnesota Duluth was the next closest competitor with 57 points while U-Mary came in third with 81 points. Minnesota-Duluth’s Morgan Place was first covering the 6k distance in 21:48.6. A little less than a minute later, Augustana’s Molly Clark crossed the line in 22:30 followed by Minnesota State Mankato’s  Ali Paul in 22:33.9.

Peach Belt- In the men’s race, Columbus State’s Meshack Koyiaki took the individual title with a time of 24:38.02 over the 8k distance to help his team to the team title. University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP)’s Pardon Ndhlovu was second in 24:57.00. Columbus State’s Nicholas Kerring was third in 25:44.12. Columbus State took the team title with 24 points. Clayton State was second with 49 points and UNCP was third with 72 points.

Columbus State’s Naomi Tanui won the individual title covering the 6k course in 22:26.71. Her teammate Brittney Skiles was second in 23:01.28. and Clayton State’s Chelsea Ellis was third in 23:04.37. Columbus State took the team title with 37 points. Georgia College and State was second with 87 points. University of Montevallo was third with 91 point.
RMAC-  Adams State took the first three spots to win the Conference title with 20 points. Reuben Mwei was the first to cross the line in 24:42 over the 8k course. Aaron Braun was next with a time of 24:48. Brian Medigovich was third in 25:07.  Western State was second with 47 points. Colorado school of Mines was third with 100 points.

Adams State’s Kristen Mc Glynn took the individual title in 22:25 over the 6k course. Mesa State’s Alexis Skarda was second in 22:38. Adams State’s Alicia Nelson was third in 23:00. Adams State placed five in the top fifteen to take the team title with 29 points. Western State was second with 78 points and Mesa State was third with 83 points.
SAC- Tusculum College’s Simon Holzapfel took the men’s individual title with a time of 25:53.96 over the 6k course. Mars Hill had the next three finishers that included: Kit Powell (26:13.78), Justin Gragg (26:30.01) and Trey McCain (26:39.60). Mars Hill finished with the team title with 27 points. Lenoir Rhyne was second with 66 points and Wingate was third with 75 points.

Kate Griewisch easily took the women’s individual title with a time of 18:27.12 over the 5k course. Lincoln Memorial’s Sofia Lopez Mimendi was second in 20:15.37 and Carson Newman’s Meredith Nix was third in 20:22.15. Lenoir Rhyne took the team title with 37 points. Carson Newman was second with 47 points. Wingate was third with 85 points.

Sunshine State- . Florida Southern took the first three spots to claim the team title with 26 points. Ben Martucci took the individual title with a time of 25:01.88 over the 8k course. He was followed by teammates, Eric Larson (25:20.69) and Drew Matucci (25:45.52). Nova Southeastern was second with 50 points and Florida Tech was third with 53 points.

Florida Tech’s Sara Trane won the individual title with a time of 21:10.32 over the 6k course. She was followed by University of Tampa’s Jessica Butler (21:31.65) and Heather Nicolosi (21:55.12).  Tampa took the team title with 21 points and placing their top seven in the top ten. Florida Southern was second with 69 points. Florida Tech was third with 71 points.

WVIAC-  Seton Hill freshman, Dom Damasso took the individual title covering the men’s 8k course in 28:45.11. He was followed by West Virginia Wesleyan’s Nate Edwards (28:52.12) and Skyler McCoy (29:22.92). Seton Hill and West Virginia Wesleyan shared the conference title with 51 points. Concord University was next with 68 points.

Alderson Broaddus’s Sherry Borsos took the individual title in a time of 25:35.53 (the results say 5k course but times look like for a 6k course). West Virginia Wesleyan’s Jenna Brock was second in 26:19.25. Wheeling Jesuit’s Megan Truelove was third in 26:23.05. West Virginia Wesleyan took the team title with 69 points. Seton Hill was second with 75 points. Concord University was third with 76 points.