The Nationally ranked University of Toledo women’s squad is the favorite to come away from Oxford, Ohio with the Mid-American Conference Championship. The Toledo women are currently ranked 26th in the nation and have their sights set on the NCAA Championships later this month.
The Toledo women are led by Brianna Shook, the defending MAC champion. Shook has been known to distance herself from the pack when she races.
“Brianna has consistently been 35-40 seconds faster than the second fastest runner,” Toledo Head Coach Kevin Hadsell said.
Hadsell’s squad has had to overcome injuries to two of their runners, Erica Moriarty and Chris Tye. Despite this setback, the Toledo women’s squad has four of the top six runners in the MAC racing for them. Coach Hadsell is very pleased with where his team stands going in to the MAC meet.
“We have been training well all year,” Hadsell said.
Hadsell’s runners will have to be at the top of their game this Saturday as the rest of the MAC schools will be gunning for them in a quest take home the MAC title.
One of the team’s that has their sights set on overtaking powerhouse Toledo is the BG Falcons. The Falcons are coming off an impressive showing at the Auburn Invitational and the team’s confidence level is very high.
The Falcon campaign will be led by junior Amber Culp, who has been the top Falcon finisher in each of the previous four races. Culp is very optimistic about the Falcon’s chances this weekend.
“I am not really that nervous, everyone is ready to go. I feel and I think that everyone else feels that we can do very well,” Culp said.
The Falcons have had to overcome their share of obstacles over the past few seasons, battling through numerous injuries and illnesses. Head Coach Cami Wells believes that overcoming these obstacles has been a real boost to for the team.
“Coming through the tough times is what makes you stronger,” Wells said.
The runners were very disappointed with their 12th place finish last season and have set their sights high this year. The team goal this season has been to finish in the top 5 teams in the MAC.
Wells has seen a steady progression towards that goal throughout the season.
“We have gotten a little closer to that goal every week and now it is up to the ladies on the team to step up and give it everything they’ve got on Saturday,” Wells said.
Wells is optimistic about the teams chances of accomplishing this goal.
“I have a lot of confidence in this team. They have worked very hard and they are focused and ready for Saturday,” Wells said.
Other runners to watch this weekend are Andrea Kremer and Kristen Fryburg from host Miami University of Ohio.
Kremer earned All-American honors by placing 25th in the NCAA meet last year.
Fryburg was an NCAA qualifier last year and a 5th place finisher at the MAC meet.
Adriana Zalucka from the University of Akron has twice been named the MAC runner of the week and ran the fastest time ever for a MAC runner on the course at the Miami Fall Classic.
The women’s race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m Saturday.
