Lawrence cross country runner makes history

(LAWRENCE ATHLETICS) APPLETON – Lawrence University cross country star Cristyn Oliver made history on Saturday as the Vikings took the team title at the Midwest Conference Championships.
Oliver became the first female runner in conference history to win three individual cross country titles. She she raced to victory in 21:55.83 over the 6,000-meter layout at Reid Golf Course and finished 30 seconds ahead of Ripon College’s Jenny Cortes, who was second in 22:25.06. Oliver also won individual titles in 2021 and 2022.
“Nothing of what Cristyn did today was surprising,” Lawrence coach Jason Fast said. “She has put in a lot of work over the last calendar year, and today was her opportunity to show it.”
Lawrence had six all-conference runners as the Vikings took the team title with 34 points. Grinnell College was second with 45 points. This is Lawrence’s fifth Midwest Conference team championship and its second in the last four seasons. Lawrence also won the team title in 2021.
“I’m really happy for our women’s team,” Fast said. “They worked so incredibly hard this year and really came together as a group to get the job done.”
Lawrence also took Newcomer of the Year honors as first-year runner Mila Westra finished third in 22:33.10. Edythmae Frodl took seventh for the Vikings in 23:00.90 to earn all-conference honors. Riley Winebrenner was ninth in 23:07.92 and also picked up all-conference honors. Amelia Wiesner received all-conference honors and completed the scoring for Lawrence by taking 14th in 23:51.42.
Lawrence’s Jane Partsch, the 2023 Newcomer of the Year, grabbed the last all-conference spot by finishing 20th in 24:02.98.
Faith Onukaogu rounded out the top seven for the Vikings by taking 25th 24:21.02.
Fast and assistant coach Shelby Baldwin took home Coaching Staff of the Year honors on the women’s side.