The CMU women’s cross country team put together its best NCAA Great Lakes Regional finish in more than 10 years Saturday in placing ninth out of 32 teams.

The CMU men’s cross country team will send no runners to the NCAA Championships despite an improved showing Saturday at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional meet.

The CMU cross country program is looking to capitalize off its success at the Mid-American Conference championships Saturday in Bloomington, Ind.

Melissa Darling led the CMU women’s cross country team to a fourth-place finish Saturday at the Mid-American Conference cross country championships in Athens, Ohio.

Darling, a junior, finished seventh (22 minutes, 35 seconds) overall, earning first team all-conference honors.

Unfavorable weather and course conditions did not stop the men’s cross country team from achieving strong individual and team success Saturday.

Senior Riak Mabil placed second with a time of 25 minutes, 41 seconds, leading CMU to a third-place finish behind Eastern Michigan and winner Kent State at the Mid-American Conference cross country championships in Athens, Ohio.

The CMU men’s and women’s cross country teams braved sloppy weather conditions Saturday to finish with solid individual and team performances at the Mid-American Conference Championships in Athens, Ohio.

The day the CMU cross country program has been building to all season arrives this weekend.

The men’s team will travel Saturday to Athens, Ohio, for the 2009 Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championships, seeking its first conference title since 2004.

The women’s cross country team brings experience to the MAC Championships Saturday despite lacking a large senior presence.