FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Milwaukee cross country team battled at the Horizon League Championships hosted by Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday.

"The goal for us is, and will always be, vying for Horizon League Championships," head coach Andrew Basler stated. "From that standpoint, the team results today were not what we strive for. However, I'd say most of the time the team placing doesn't tell the full story."

The Panthers secured a fourth-place team finish at the meet with 127 points. This marked Milwaukee's seventh top-four finish in the last eight seasons.

"Our women ran really well overall," Basler added. "Seven of the ten ladies ran 6K personal bests, with another two ladies being just five seconds off a personal best. They all executed the plan at the start, but a few fell asleep mentally from 2-4K. However, they finished the last 2K strong to earn our fourth-place team finish."

The reigning individual Horizon League Champion Anelise Egge had a remarkable day on the course, completing the race in second-place and clocking a time of 20:46.7. This finish earns Egge All-Horizon League First Team honors for the third straight year.

"Congratulations to Egge for going after the defense of her title. While she came up short, she still put it all out there," said Basler.

The Black & Gold saw two runners finish within the top-20 at the meet, with Rachel Helm crossing the finish line in 19th-place (21:51.0).

Freshman Izabel Romero shined on the Mastodon Cross Country Course where she completed the race 23rd. She also secured a season best time in the 6K race (21:54.4).

"Romero eclipsed 22 minutes and finished strong. I was also very proud of Hallie Hoger who had battles setbacks all season, only to come out today and throw down a lifetime best effort," Basler mentioned.

Another freshman cracked the top-50 in the 119-runner pool, with Janiyah Taylor securing a 41st-place finish (22:30.9).

Hallie Hoger (22:42.2), Isabella Switalski (22:52.8), Lauren Ripley (23:18.0), Grace Kline (23:57.0), and Rylan Oberg (24:20.5) all set new 6K career bests at the Horizon League Championships as well.

"I told the team last night that in racing, and in life, you have two options. You can suffer through the pain, the work, and the hard stuff now. Or you can suffer later through the regret of not stepping into the hard stuff when you had the chance. I'd say the majority of those who toed the line today chose the step into the hard," Basler concluded.
 
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Milwaukee gears up for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional hosted by Evansville on Friday, Nov. 14. The event will be held at Angel Mounds Cross Country Course.