HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- It was a showdown between senior Kelty Oaster and Catholic's Kate Inglis for much of the race until Oaster pulled away to become the third individual champion for the Elizabethtown College women's cross country team on Friday at the 2023 Landmark Conference Championships. Oaster earned her third career all-conference honor in the process as the Blue Jays took fourth overall with 105 points.

Elizabethtown has had a number of athletes vie for the individual crown over the years, including back-to-back champions in 2014 and 2015, but haven't had one since. The Blue Jays have totaled five runner-up finishes in the years since. That was until Oaster toed the race's starting line this afternoon.

Oaster and Inglis were the leaders of the pack and slowly distanced themselves from the rest. A two-horse race for that individual title was a one-second gap at 4,000 meters, with Oaster having a slight lead. By 5,000 meters, Oaster had extended that gap to eight seconds as she took clear control of the race. By race's end, at 6,000 meters, Oaster had cruised to a 22:56.8, the fastest winning time by an Elizabethtown champion. Her gap had also extended to 23 seconds as Inglis crossed for Catholic well behind the Blue Jays' senior.

Oaster's winning time was 22:56.8, the only runner there to break 23 minutes on the hilly Sunset Golf Course. She had moved her way up over the last three years, taking sixth in 2021 and third last season before becoming the 2023 champion and Performer of the Year.

Amanda Kauffman placed 19th overall for the Jays in 25:03.6 and earned Honorable Mention. Isabelle Smith was next, in 28th, at 25:46.9. Ellie Heilman ran her fastest 6k time of the season on Friday. She was 31st in 25:53.4. Bridget Kennedy followed her, one spot behind in 32nd, at 25:57.2.

Etown was fourth of 10 teams. They will next compete at the NCAA Div. III Mid-Atlantic Regional at Lock Haven on Saturday, November 11.