Season Preview: Women's Cross Country looks for 16th consecutive upper-division OAC finish in 2017

By Caleb Scott

ADA — The Ohio Northern women's cross country team will look to post its 16th consecutive upper division Ohio Athletic Conference in 2017 under 9th-year head coach Jason Maus.

The Polar Bears finished fourth in the OAC in 2016 after finishing the season with a 49-49 record.

"Our women have improved quite a bit," said head coach Jason Maus. "We think we may be able to surprise some people this season. Our girls worked hard during the offseason and really put in the time to get better."

Maus and his staff welcome back nine letterwinners in 2017, led by senior OAC Champion Emily Richards (Delaware/Hayes).

Richards, a 5-time track and field National Champion, returns to the team after being injured for much of the 2016 season.

The senior claimed the OAC individual title in 2015, before finishing second at the OAC Championships in 2016.

Also returning for Northern in 2017 is 2-time letterwinner and junior Ashlie Baumann (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson).

Baumann was named First Team All-OAC during both the 2015 and 2016 seasons, and was named All-Great Lakes Region in 2016.

"Emily and Ashlie are two of our greatest assets," said Maus. "They are both great runners and competitors."

Juniors Colleen Grainger (Hilliard/Bradley) and Janelle Posthuma (Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) also return as 2-time letterwinners and will look to provide depth and experience to a young Polar Bear roster.

Seniors Danielle Sutter (Fort Recovery) and Megan Joseph (Delphos/St. John's) also return to the squad in 2017.

Joining the team after being named an NCAA III Qualifier in track and field, senior Kelsey Commager (Maumee) will look to make an impact for Northern.

Juniors Angie Sullivan (Medina), Avery Ewing (Kokomo, Ind./Eastern), Kristina Myers (Grove City/Central Crossing), and Elizabeth Steele (Tempe, Ariz./Corona del Sol) return for the Polar Bears after posting solid sophomore seasons.

Northern's three sophomore's, Kathleen Colvin (Hilliard/Bishop Ready), Madeleine Routhier (West Unity/Hilltop), and Zoe Schilling (East Sparta/Canton Central Catholic) also return in 2017 after lettering a season ago.

"We are really happy with where our returners are at heading into the season," said Maus. "A lot of these girls got some great experience last year. We are really looking for our team to be more competitive this year. We really want to stress competition and see who can step up for us."

ONU welcomes six newcomers in 2017.

Northern will open the 2017 season at the annual Bluffton 5k Invitational on Sept. 1, before it travels to the Calvin (Mich.) Invitational on Sept. 9.

ONU will also compete at the Tiffelberg Open on Sept. 16 and the All-Ohio Championships on Sept. 29 to close out the month of September.

After traveling to the Wis.-Oshkosh Invitational on Oct. 14, Northern will compete in the OAC Championships on Oct. 28.

The Great Lakes Regional meet is slated for Nov. 11 in Delaware, Ohio, while the NCAA III Championships will take place in Elsah, Ill. on Nov. 18.