Ohio State Women’s Cross Country Runner Addie Engel Becomes First Big Ten Champion in Program History

Engel, a native of Springfield, Ohio, ran the 6000m race in a time of 20:00.0, 4.6 seconds ahead of second-place Katie Osika of Michigan State.

Addie Engel from @OhioStateTFXC is your 2022 @BigTen Cross Country Individual Champion! pic.twitter.com/gRMBR13c1X

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 28, 2022

Her run was one of stamina and endurance. Engel paced herself well with a 5:39.5 first mile – good for ninth place – before creeping into the sixth spot with a 5:31.9 second mile. In the third mile, she picked up the pace with a 5:25.9 frame. She turned on the burners for a 3:22.9 final window to cross the finish line in exactly 20 minutes.

"I knew I was in a group of really strong competitors, so I knew I had to make a move early if I was gonna outkick them," Engel said of her final frame. "I felt comfortable, and I knew that was what I had to do to beat them out."

Addie Engel chatted after winning the #B1GXC #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/3TxPf6KLwc

— Ohio State T&F/XC (@OhioStateTFXC) October 28, 2022

The third-year Buckeye has been dominant all year for Ohio State, winning three Big Ten athlete of the week awards and a USTFCCCA national athlete of the week accolade this fall. She placed in the top five finishers in eight of her last 11 meets heading into the conference championship and was in the top 16 of all those events, excluding last season’s NCAA championship.

Engel is the first individual Big Ten champion in the history of Ohio State women's cross country, which hadn't set in for her immediately after the race.

"It means so much," Engel said of the accomplishment. "It's honestly a shock still, but I am really appreciative to have the opportunity."

Ohio State will wrap up the Big Ten Championships on Friday and will send representatives to the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships on Nov. 11. Qualifiers from that tournament will advance to the NCAA Championships on Nov. 19.