By John Ostapowicz / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the 2024 Horizon League Cross Country Championships on Nov. 2, hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.
The men’s squad recorded an historic milestone with its third-straight Horizon League title, which signifies the longest streak of consecutive titles in program history. The feat also marks the men’s program’s fifth title overall, which is the fourth most in Horizon League history
Fifth-year senior Hunter Christopher led the way for Youngstown State with his second-consecutive individual title in the men’s 8K, with a time of 24:11.2. He became the first men’s runner since 2009 to win back-to-back Horizon League titles — Andy Baker of Butler University won three-straight from 2007-2009.
Graduate student Ryan Meadows finished in fourth place with a time of 24:31.5, which marked his third-straight top-five finish at the Horizon League Championships.
In total, five Penguins placed in the top 10, as the men won the championship with a team total of 26 points. Indiana University Indianapolis came in second with 74 points, while Oakland University placed third with 86 points.
The women’s side for Youngstown State finished fourth overall with 98 points, as Robert Morris University won the Horizon League title for the women’s side, with a team collective of 67 points.
Sophomore McKinley Fielding, finished runner-up in the 6K with a time of 21:09.9. Junior Anelise Egge of the University of Wisconsin–Milwakuee placed first in the event and won the women’s individual title.
Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams will participate in NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships on Nov. 15 at Silver Creek Park Cross Country Course in Norton
