TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – It was a cold morning in Springfield for the 2017 MVC Cross Country Championships, but that didn't stop the Sycamores from putting on numerous All-MVC performances and competing for the title.
                                  
The men's team finished second behind four All-MVC performances with 49 points, falling to Bradley in a tiebreaker. Ties are determine by comparing the top-five finishers from both teams, and Bradley claimed the victory 3-2. The Sycamore women finished in fourth place with 104 points, bested by only Loyola (93), UNI (56), and Bradley (30).
 
"The guys brought it. You could see it from the beginning, their minds were right and we put ourselves in the position," head coach Kyle Walsh said. "As we come into the 7K we're five points behind Bradley and give them credit, they brought it too. Our guys came roaring back that final kilometer. I've never seen an effort like that from this group, they saved it for today and brought it today."
 
Indiana State's men placed four individuals in the top-10 on the way to their runner-up finish. Seth Cousins led the way for the Sycamores, placing sixth at 25:03.10. Quentin Pierce finished just behind Cousins, crossing the line at 25:04.00 in eighth. Blake Kramer and Akis Medrano rounded out the top-10 for ISU, finishing in ninth and 10th, respectively. Kramer finished with a time of 25:06.10 and Medrano crossed the line at 25:07.40.
 
"Seth took a risk early and went out for it, which is difficult to do. The rest of our guys held on the pack and worked in there. As the pack caught Seth, he had a choice to make, stick in there and fight, and he did that. The rest of the guys worked together to get all four of those guys in the top 10," Walsh said.
 
Ryan Cash was the fifth scorer for the men, placing 16th at 25:34.80, which was a strong performance given that he faced a week of uncertainty leading up to the race.
 
"Give Cash credit for holding strong for that fifth spot, he rolled his ankle a few days ago and couldn't really run much, but brought it today to hold us together so we could tie for the championship," Walsh said. "The men realized this race was bigger than any one person on the team, and each of them ran with intensity, and I couldn't be more proud. Coach McNichols would be thrilled with their preparation and execution to push towards that conference championship. We gave everything we had and tip our hats to Bradley for winning the tie-breaker and earning the championship."
 
Taylor Austin etched her name in the ISU history books today while leading the women's team to a fourth-place finish. Austin finished as the MVC runner-up with the second best time in Indiana State history for the 5K at 17:12.40, just three seconds behind school-record holder Jessica Crowder. Her second place finish is the highest finish by a Sycamore since Allison Malone in 2010 when she placed second as well.
 
"Taylor was tough. She went for the title. Her best finish ever was 10th at the Missouri Valley, and she came out today say, 'I'm either going to win it or they're going to give me everything they've got to beat me,' and she did that. She gave everything she had and I'm proud of her leading our squad," Walsh said.
 
Finishing behind Austin for the Sycamore women were Megan Doty and Jessi Conley in 20th and 21st, respectively. Doty just edged Conley, finishing at 18:09.10 with Conley at 18:10.10.
 
Alli Workman was the fourth scorer for ISU, crossing the finish line in 27th with a time of 18:14.00 and Michaela Ward came in as the fifth scorer at 18:41.00 and 34th place.
 
"Everyone in the Valley had us pegged pretty close, and we thought we had just a little more in us so we could move into that top three. It didn't happen today, and we are going to lose Taylor, but everyone else returns and that chase pack will regroup. We'll reset, and we have the Regional in a few weeks. We ran about what we thought we could do, and we will leave with our heads held high," Walsh said.
 
Both Sycamore cross country teams will be back in action on Nov. 10 at LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, as they host the NCAA Great Lakes Regional beginning at 11:15 a.m. ET.
 
Men's 8K Team Results
 
School                    Points
1. Bradley               49 (3-2)
2. Indiana State      49
3. Illinois State         88
4. Loyola                93
5. Drake                 103
6. Southern Ill.         136
7. UNI                    161
8. Valparaiso           247
9. Evansville            276
 
Men's 8K All-MVC
 
Name                               School                    Time
1. Jake Hoffert                     Bradley                   24:37.90
2. Alex Baker                     Loyola                    24:38.90
3. Kyle Mattes                    Illinois State             24:42.60
4. Josh Maier                     Southern Illinois        24:45.70
5. Maximillian Fridrich          Drake                     25:00.90
6. Seth Cousins                   Indiana State          25:03.10
7. Nyle Clinton                      Bradley                   25:03.20
8. Quentin Pierce               Indiana State          25:04.00
9. Blake Kramer                  Indiana State          25:06.10
10. Akis Medrano               Indiana State          25:07.40
 
Indiana State Men's Team Results
 
Name                               Time
6. Seth Cousins                  25:03.10
8. Quentin Pierce                24:04.00
9. Blake Kramer                 25:06.10
10. Akis Medrano               25:07.40
16. Ryan Cash                   25:34.80
25. Isaac Bentz                  25:57.00
32. Corey Alfredson            26:21.10
50. Logan Hambrock          27:08.00
 
Women's 5K Team Results
 
School                    Points
1. Bradley               30
2. UNI                    56
3. Loyola                93
4. Indiana State      104
5. Missouri State       122
6. Illinois State         136
7. Southern Ill.         190
8. Drake                 195
9. Valparaiso           286
10. Evansville           294
 
Women's 5K All-MVC
 
Name                               School                    Time
1. Lindsey Brewis               Loyola                    17:07.80
2. Taylor Austin                  Indiana State          17:12.40
3. Jessica Allen                  Missouri State          17:22.10
4. Sara Piller                      Bradley                   17:32.00
5. Natalie Burant                Bradley                   17:39.20
6. McKenzie Altmayer         Bradley                   17:41.40
7. Abby Jockisch                Bradley                   17:44.10
8. Hannah Witczak             Bradley                   17:44.70
9. Tiffany Christensen          UNI                        17:47.50
10. Mckayla Cole                UNI                        17:51.50
 
Indiana State Women's Team Results
 
Name                               Time
2. Taylor Austin                 17:12.40
20. Megan Doty                 18:09.10
21. Jessi Conley                 18:10.10
27. Alli Workman                18:14.00
34. Michaela Ward              18:41.00
36. Colleen Madden            18:43.60
42. Abigail Grider                18:59.00
50. Cami Hansen                19:13.40       
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Cross Country team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.