ROCHESTER, Mich. – Three runners finished in the top ten as the Milwaukee women's cross country team earned its third straight Horizon League Championship and fourth in the last five years.
 
"I'm extremely proud of the group – they've had a target on their backs from the last couple years as repeat champions," head coach Andrew Basler mentioned. "They went out and executed. There is not one selfish person on that team."
 
Meg Swietlik (3^rd), Cailin Kinas (4^th), and Anelise Egge (10^th) led the Panthers with top-10 finishes and were named All-Horizon League First Team for Milwaukee who was clear of the field by 39 points. The 47 team points matches last year's total.
 
"We've gotten to the point of expecting to win a championship. That expectation and weight does take a toll on everyone's mental health. Today, the group showed how mentally resilient and how important team culture is," associate head coach Jake Reilly said. "We executed without nerves, pressure, and anxiety taking control. It is fantastic example of where this team is at right now and the potential we have."
 
Egge was named Freshman of the Year for her finish and Reilly earned his fourth Coach of the Year honor.
 
"Anelise getting Freshman of the Year is a credit to herself. She could have come in nervous but wanted to run well and be coached. She listened to her teammates and had a fantastic day today. Overall, an amazing team effort to go out with a plan and goal in mind and execute."
 
Swietlik reached the podium by crossing in 21:56.7, just edging out Kinas who cleared 22 minutes in 21:58.3.
 
Racing in her first league championships, Egge posted a career-best time of 22:20.6 to finish in 10^th.
 
Following closely was Emily Burns with a 14^th place finish of 22:32.8. Brittany Helm was the next Panthers' finisher, improving in each of her splits, as she crossed in 22:39.6 to place 16^th.
 
"It is a good feeling to send out our seniors on a high note with another championship," Basler continued. "I'm really proud of them. I also want to mention the way Coach Reilly has changed that program and continues to build it up as people first and athletes second. That has laid the foundation for the type of championship culture we have."
 
Women's 6k
1^st of 11, 47 points
3. Meg Swietlik – 21:56.7
4. Cailin Kinas – 21:58.3
10. Anelise Egge – 22:20.6
14. Emily Burns – 22:32.8
16. Brittany Helm – 22:39.6
20. Rachel Helm – 22:49.2
23. Madison Hughes – 22:56.9
29. Eileen Tocco – 23:11.1
34. Anna Gallagher – 23:22.3
36. Alayna Franson – 23:25.4
44. Madison Franseen – 23:40.2
48. Sara Jochims – 23:46.2
 
Next up, Milwaukee will head to Terre Haute, Indiana, for the Great Lakes Regional in search of a trip to the NCAA Cross Country Championships on November 19.