DELAWARE, Ohio — Colleges and universities from all over the state of Ohio converged just off the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University Friday (Oct. 2) afternoon for the 2009 All-Ohio Cross Country Championship. The annual event, which featured 42 women's teams and 38 men's programs, was swept by the Ohio State University. [All-Ohio site]

Marietta's men continued to gain momentum in 2009 with a 23rd place finish in the overall competition. The Pioneers also placed 11th among the 20 NCAA Division III schools at the meet. The Pioneer women also earned a top 30 finish, placing 27th overall and 14th in its division.

Freshman Caleb Muller (Columbus, Bexley) anchored the men's performance with a 105th place finish overall (41st in D-III). Muller crossed the 8K line in 28:45.4. Senior Josh Mickle (Madison, Madison) was the second Pioneer to finish. He completed the course in 29:02.8 to finish 124th overall (51st in D-III). Sophomore Terrance Wallace (Westerville, Westerville Central) followed in 139th place (59th in D-III) after running a time of 29:16.0. Senior Cody Thomas (North Olmsted, North Olmsted), who placed 146th overall (65th in D-III), was not far behind, finishing in 29:22.9. Freshman Caleb Ellis (St. Albans, W.Va., St. Albans) rounded out the scoring with a time of 29:31.8, which placed him 151st overall (69th in D-III).

Sophomore Jennifer Emmert (Martinsburg, W.Va., Martinsburg ) paced the women with a 104th place finish overall (37th in D-III). Emmert covered the 5k course in 21:03.6. Senior Randi Robertson (Avon Lake, Avon Lake) chased Emmert to the line and placed 111th overall (41st in D-III) after crossing the line in 21:09.2. Senior Stephanie Williams (Vincent, Warren Local) was the third to cross with a time of 21:43.4. She finished 141st overall (61st in D-III). Classmate Shannon McDonald (Lorain, Amherst Steele) then came in 172nd (79th in D-III) with a time of 22:05.3, while freshman Lydia Tillmaand (Xenia, Xenia) capped the scoring by placing 187th (92nd in D-III) after crossing the line in 22:23.3.

"The course conditions were tough, very muddy and soggy causing slow times," Head Coach Derek Stanley said. "The momen ran okay. Not being full strength is hurting us right now. Our goal is to get where we need to be by the end of the month. The men ran awesome. We have never finished better than 30th at All-Ohio since I've been here. It looks really good for us to be able to move up in the conference this year."

Marietta cross country will return to action on Saturday (Oct. 17) when the program competes at Oberlin College's Inter-Regional Rumble. Racing will begin at 10:30 a.m.