The women’s cross country team sprinted their way to a first place finish in the North Coast Athletic Conference championship this past weekend at Earlham College. With a total of 48 points, the Yeowomen were triumphant as conference champions for the first time in 22 years.

Junior Marie Barnett crossed the finish line first for the Oberlin team with a fifth place finish and a time of 25:10. Sophomore Maddy Davis-Hayes, senior Ariane Burwell, sophomore Flannery Cerbin and junior Alison Doniger, finished seventh, 11, 12 and 13 respectively. Senior Barrier Newberger and first-year Piper Neihaus brought up the end with 17 and 28 place finishes.

“It’s really awesome!” Barnett said. “I am so excited for the team and I’m looking forward to running really fast at regionals.”

Junior Danielle Koplinka-Loehr explained how she was moved by the cohesiveness of this year’s championship team: “Everyone is really supportive of each other. We help each other achieve our goals.”

Barnett agreed, adding, “The team is totally coalescing.”

On the men’s side, senior Travis Grout put in an impressive performance in the championship race with a fourth place finish and a time of 27:07.  Co-captain John Shaw ran a smooth time of 28:44 good for 27 place and was followed by sophomore Conor Doss who finished in 29 place. Overall the men placed fifth. 

“Travis Grout is the man. Does he have to be good at everything?” questioned cross country fan junior Peter Nowogrodzki. “He eats in my co-op. Not only can he clean the kitchen in warp speed, but he runs with the ease of a gazelle.”

A handful of equally as elegant Oberlin runners were honored with All-NCAC honors at the meet. Barnett, Davis-Hayes, Burwell, Cerbin, Doniger and Newberger received All-NCAC recognition for their speedy times in the conference championship. Grout received All-NCAC recognition for his fourth-place finish.

The meet concluded on a positive note for the Oberlin team with Head Coach Ray Appenheimer receiving the NCAC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year award for his role in leading the talented team to their conference title.

Both teams will continue to train for the next two weeks in preparation for the Great Lakes Regionals race in Hanover, Ind. on Nov. 11.