UT Runner Wins Award - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

UT Runner Wins Award

University of Toledo sophomore Mackenzie Chojnacky was selected as the Mid-American Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week in the league's first week of handing out the award for the 2012 season, the league office announced today.

In just her fifth-career race, Chojnacky won the Mel Brodt Collegiate Opener hosted by Bowling Green last week with a time of 18.12.60. She finished first among 51 runners, leading No. 23 Toledo to victory over Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Ball State and Madonna.

"Mackenzie has made a significant jump in her abilities over the last six months," Toledo Head Coach Kevin Hadsell said.  "I think she will make a real name for herself this year, and is challenging our other top returning women.  This should be a nice breakthrough year for her."

The Jerome, ID, native helped Toledo to finish with a team score of 19 points, beating second-place Bowling Green by an impressive 52 points. Five Rockets finished in the top six of the event, despite having four of the team's top runners not participate.

Toledo remains ranked No. 23 in the NCAA Division I Cross Country Coaches' Poll and is the preseason favorite to win the MAC championship this year.

The Rockets will be back in action on Sept. 21, when they host the Second Annual Inter-Regional Bubble Buster at Ottawa Park in Toledo.