Ahart Claims Programs First Individual MAC Title; Women Place 7th
11/2/2013 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
BOWLING GREEN, OH – University at Buffalo cross country runner, Zach Ahart, produced a program first on Saturday afternoon at the 2013 MAC Cross Country Championships as he earned the individual title in the men's 8k race.
Ahart became UB's first male individual champion, as he trekked through the sloppy course in 24:47.6. He dominated the field, finishing seven seconds ahead of the second place finisher from Miami (OH), David Wing.
"Coach Witzleben did an excellent job of preparing the men for this race, especially Zach Ahart," said head coach Vicki Mitchell. "They came real close to fourth place and with such a young team we have a bright future."
Despite earning the overall best time, the Bulls finished in fifth place for the second consecutive season earning 122 points. Eastern Michigan claimed their third straight MAC Championship as they collected 42 points. Akron (67), Central Michigan (104) and Ohio (121) each finished ahead of the Bulls.
Buffalo scored three top 30 finishes on Saturday afternoon as Ahart took home first place followed by Cameron Bruce in 25th place in 25:59.55 and freshman Alec Peinkofer finishing in 30th place in 26:06.71. Ahart was the lone Bull to take home All-MAC honors, earning first team.
Bulls finishing outside the top 30 were Bob Swick in 32nd place, Barrett Kemp in 34th place, Pier Berkmans in 40th place, Brian Crimmins in 51st place, Austin Coneys in 53rd place and freshman Tyler Scheving in 65th place in a field of 75 runners.
In the women's 6K race, Ohio junior Julie Accurso won the individual title for the third straight year. Accurso turned in a time of 20:37.46, 30 seconds ahead of this year's second-place finisher, Victoria Voronko of Eastern Michigan (21:07.79).
The UB women finished seventh overall with 192 points, for the second straight season. Freshman Caroline Brown was the Bulls top performer, finishing in 25th place in 22:07.60 among the 102 participants. The time of 22:07.6 was Brown's second best time of the season.
Finishing behind Brown for UB was junior Gabby Leo (22:48.79) in 40th place, Hilary Swartwood (22:55.87) in 42nd place, Meagan Hopkins (23:00.58) in 43rd place, Kaitlin McCadden (23:05.92) in 49th place, Corinne Birchard (23:23.87) in 61st place, Chrissy Clarkin (23:47.65) in 76th place, Meaghan Wessel (24:10.33) in 87th place and Melinda Wheeler (24:28.87) in 96th place.
"The women have faced adversity this season and came through with a solid team effort," said Mitchell. "We have a very young group with freshman Caroline Brown leading the way for the team."
Miami (OH) won the women's team title with 45 points as four of its runners collected All-MAC recognition. Toledo took home the second place finish with 48 points and had a meet-high five runners earn All-MAC honors.
The Bulls will return to the course on November 15, as they will travel to the Bronx, NY for the NCAA Northeastern Championships.
Team scores
Women: Miami (OH) 45, Toledo 48, Central Michigan 60, Eastern Michigan 111, Ohio 120, Bowling Green 156, Buffalo 192, Akron 217, Western Michigan 253, Kent State 257, Northern Illinois 271, Ball State 350
All-MAC first team: Juli Accurso (Ohio), Victoria Voronko (Eastern Michigan), Jess Hoover (Miami), Brooke Tullis (Toledo), Melissa Girgis (Miami), Megan Wright (Toledo), Krista Parks (Central Michigan)
All-MAC second team: Breanne Lesnar (Central Michigan), Anna Lamb (Miami), Laura Bess (Miami), Megan Gaysunas (Toledo), Kelly Schubert (Central Michigan), Liz Weiler (Toledo), Mackenzi Chojnacky (Toledo)
Men: Eastern Michigan 42, Akron 67, Central Michigan 104, Ohio 121, Buffalo 122, Miami (Ohio) 136, Kent State 142, Toledo 204, Bowling Green 228
All-MAC first team: Zach Ahart (Buffalo), David Wing (Miami), Grzegor Kalinowski (Eastern Michigan), Nate Ghena (Central Michigan), Harry Dixon (Eastern Michigan), Jason Salyer (Bowling Green), Spencer Nousain (Central Michigan)
All-MAC second team: Warren Witchell (Eastern Michigan), Matt Kahl (Kent State), Brad Hough (Akron), Willy Fink (Eastern Michigan), Trevor Norris (Akron), Clayton Murphy (Akron), Kyle Cochrun (Akron)
Coaches of the Year: Kelly Phillips (Miami), John Goodridge (Eastern Michigan men)
