Cross Country | 4/30/2020 9:02:00 AM

As part of our coverage in these unprecedented times, UIndyAthletics.com will revisit some of the biggest moments in recent school history with its new feature: Greyhound Flashback. Today we take a look at the 2018 UIndy women's cross country team and its first conference championship in 26 years. 

The 2018-19 academic year was a historic one for the UIndy athletics department, which claimed a record 10 conference championships in total. The Greyhound women's cross country team kicked off the GLVC dominance with its first league title since 1992, as Brad Robinson was named the conference Coach of the Year. Then-sophomore Lauren Bailey made her name known among league ranks, earning third-place honors at the event just a year before finishing second in 2019.

An amazing nine Hounds on the women's side set new PRs, as all finished in the top 50.

ORIGINAL RECAP
The UIndy women's cross country team claimed its first GLVC title since 1992 on Saturday morning, plowing through the field to win by 41 team points. Head coach Brad Robinson was announced as GLVC Coach of the Year after the ladies' win. 
 
All five UIndy scorers finished inside the top 20, led by Lauren Bailey's third-place effort. Mickayla Wenzel (8th) and Briana Leonard (15th) join Bailey in earning all-conference nods.

"We talked about just needing to run a good race and we would have a shot to win," Robinson said after the meet. "The ladies were patient and finished strong over the last 1k to seal the team title."

Nine Greyhounds on the women's side recorded personal records (PR) on Saturday, including Bailey. Madison Vauters and Melissa Spencer earned points for UIndy, placing 18th and 19th, respectively. Freshmen Kelsey Dugger, Emma Treibic and Sarah Burch recorded top-50 finishes. 

Robinson continued: "Our depth gave us strength and confidence today. It's amazing what you can achieve when you compete for your team and commit yourself to something bigger than yourself."
 
The men finished fourth in this year's event, with All-GLVC performers Chris Switzer and Taylor Kleyn placing fourth and ninth, respectively. "It's not often you can finish fourth and not win Freshman of the Year," Robinson said of the rookie runner Switzer, who also recorded a new PR in the men's race. 

Jacob Woodrow finished just outside all-conference consideration in 18th place, while Kieffer Vittetow and Nathan Herbst crossed the finish line in just over 26 minutes.

"The men came out well and raced great, but we came up a little short in the last 2k," Robinson said of the Hounds. "I am incredibly proud of both teams and excited to prepare for regionals in a couple weeks."

Danny Rockley, Nyc Sigmon, and Will Reid also finished in the top 45.


MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Women

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
The Hounds placed seventh at the Midwest Regional in Hillsdale, Mich., just two weeks later, the team's highest finish at the event under Robinson. Wenzel and Bailey both earned top-20 finishes, with the former setting a PR in her final collegiate race.