Season Preview: Women's Cross Country looks for 26th consecutive winning season in 2016

By Caleb Scott

ADA — The Ohio Northern women's cross country team will look for its 26th straight winning season under seventh-year head coach Jason Maus in 2016.

During the winning streak, Northern has captured six Ohio Athletic Conference championships and made team appearances at the NCAA III Championships twice.

Northern returns seven letterwinners to the 2016 squad.

Senior Genevieve Marchese returns in 2016 after being named Second Team All-OAC in 2015.

The Polar Bears also welcome back junior Emily Richards and sophomore Ashlie Baumann, who were both named First Team All-OAC in 2015.

Richards, who owns the second fastest 6k time in ONU history (21:56) and sixth fastest 5k time in Polar Bear history (18:35), returns after a very successful 2015 campaign.

Richards earned First Team All-Conference honors in 2015 after taking first place at the OAC Championships.

The junior also earned All-Great Lakes Region honors before representing Northern at the 2015 NCAA III Cross Country Championships where she finished in the top half of the field.

"Emily is coming off of a big year and her expectations are very high this year," said head coach Jason Maus. "She really just wants to improve on what she was able to do last year."

Marchese will also look to be a big contributor for the Polar Bears after finishing 14th at the OAC Championships.

Northern will look to lean on seniors Morgan Rouch, Elizabeth Martin, Renee Kraft and Paige Giessler to be leaders. 

"Obviously every team has goals that they want to get better," said Maus. "Our seniors will really have to step up and be the leaders of this team."

The Polar Bears welcome four freshmen to the 2016 squad. 

"We are hoping our incoming freshman can be big contributors to our team. They have a good chance to step in and be successful right away."