WASHINGTON, Mich. – A Friday sweep! The No. 17 Macomb women's cross country team captured the MCCAA Eastern Conference title on Friday (Sept. 26), doing so for the second time in as many seasons thanks to an impressive team effort.

The Monarchs scored 38 points as a team to edge runner-up St. Clair County Community College (41) and third place finisher Mott Community College (44).

A one-two finish individually by Emma Dell (20:01.0) and Grace Wessel (20:20.2) led the way for the Monarchs in the 5K championship, while Erin Rowan placed sixth with a time of 21:02.2. Amber Watta finished 12th in 22:23.7 and Erin Leverenz concluded the scoring for Macomb with a 17th place finish, running 24:38.8.

Arianna Stiles crossed the line in 25th place with a time of 27:32.6, while Vanessa Sayers was 26th in 29:33.3. 

Dell, Wessel, Rowan, and Watta earned MCCAA All-Eastern Conference honors. Dell was also named MCCAA Eastern Conference Runner of the Year for her efforts. The top 14 individuals earned All-Conference honors at Friday's title race.

In a race as tight as Friday's, the performance down the stretch by Wessel and Leverenz highlighted an impressive day overall as Wessel raced past a pair of competitors near the finish line to gain points while Leverenz dashed past one to bring home another critical point.

Macomb returns to the course next Saturday (Oct. 4) at the SWAGS Louisville Cross Country Classic from E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park in Kentucky.