A tough week of running and training paid off for the Miami University men's and women's cross country teams.

Oct. 1, the RedHawks traveled to Cedarville University to dominate the All-Ohio Collegiate Championship and take home the title.

At 2 p.m., the men's team lined up with 37 other teams at Irvin R. King Cross Country Course to run in the 8K race. With a lot of bodies trying to get out in front, senior Robbie Fisher was tripped up by a fellow runner and the Red and White had to run even harder to get out in front and stay as a pack. The team finished with 82 points, placing five runners in the top 25 and clinching the All-Ohio crown.

"There were a lot of bodies and teams, but the guys went out well," Head Coach Warren Mandrell said. "It was very competitive. There were so many teams that it was hard to get a handle on who was running well until the end of it."

Despite the minor setback at the beginning of the race, Fisher ran a personal best, finishing first for Miami and 12 overall. Sophomore Jarrod Eick placed second for the RedHawks and 15 overall, freshman Matt Marol finished third for Miami and 16 overall, senior Michael Perry took fourth for Miami and 18 overall and sophomore David Eichenberger placed fifth for the RedHawks and 21 overall.

"We have had four races with three different front runners," Mandrell said. "The guys are staying focused and training well. The guys take care of each other and are a very cohesive team."

At 2:45 p.m., the women's team laced up with 39 Ohio teams to race a 5K meet. Last season, the RedHawks placed second at All-Ohio behind The Ohio State University (OSU) Buckeyes. While OSU did not make an appearance this year, the Red and White still went out hard and took over the meet from the start, beating rival Ohio and Dayton universities.

"They ran great, everything from the open race to the championship race," Head Coach Kelly Phillips said. "They ran smart and strong and executed the plan."

The RedHawks won the All-Ohio title with 43 points, placing six runners in the top 15. Senior Rachel Patterson finished first overall, beating the course record. This is Patterson's second individual title following the Dayton Flyer 5K at the beginning of the season. Senior Amanda Mirochna finished second for the RedHawks and seventh overall, freshman Kate Carter was next for Miami finishing 10 overall, junior Kelley Miller finished 11 overall, junior Maggie Bingham finished 14 overall and senior Katie Lenahan finished 15.

"We're starting to hit our stride," Patterson said. "There was a one-minute-and-30-second spread between our first and seventh place finishers. We finally got some recognition this time, which was great."

The RedHawks have the weekend off, but return to action Oct. 16. The men's team will race in the Falcon Invitational at Bowling Green, Ohio and the women's team will participate in the Penn State National Meet.