NORTHFIELD, Minn. — As if toeing the line against the best the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has to offer wasn't tough enough, Mother Nature decided to throw her two-cents worth in.
 
With temperatures hovering in the mid-30s—not to mention wet and treacherous course conditions—this year's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships were a true test of wills.
 
And the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota cross country teams in general—and Austin O'Hare (Rushford, Minn.) in particular—passed with flying colors.
 
 O'Hare, running in the final MIAC Championships of his collegiate career, saved his best for last, as the senior posted an eight-kilometer time of 26:23 to place 12^th overall—and earn his first-ever All-MIAC honor.
 
Carleton took home the men's team title, edging host St. Olaf by 20 points. Saint John's finished third, with St. Thomas and Bethel rounding out the top five. Fueled by O'Hare's efforts, the Cardinal men finished 10^th in the team standings.
 
Donson Cook-Gallardo of Carleton won the men's individual crown, breaking the tape in 25:22 to outkick St. Olaf's Thomas Lerdall (25:41) and Knights' teammate Lucas Mueller (25:46). St. Olaf's Keith Ketola (25:51) and Gustavus' Andrew Stumbo (25:523) finished fourth and five, respectively.
 
Carleton completed the team conference sweep, taking three of the top four places, in cruising to a 49-point win over St. Olaf, with St. Thomas, Gustavus, and Bethel completing the top five. Saint Mary's, behind a team-best 6K time of 24:55 from Danielle Franke (Mounds View, Minn.), placed 11^th overall.
 
Meg Mathison won the women's individual title with a time of 21:57, two seconds faster than teammate Emily Kaegi. Bethel's Annika Halverson finished third (22:10), followed by Amanda Mosborg of Carleton (22:34) and Anna Hage of Bethel (22:41).

Along with O'Hare's all-conference time of 26:23, Brandon Krogman (Owatonna, Minn.) chipped in a 27:33, followed by Jordan Malikowski (Royalton, Minn. / 28:05), Ben Borash (Bowlus, Minn. / 28:19), Jon Meaden (Rosemount, Minn.  / 28:26), Isaiah Olsem (Fulda, Minn. / 28:50), Tanner Moris (Crandon, Wis. / 28:52), and Marlon Barrett-Dwyer (Chicago, Ill. / 33:44).
 
On the women's side, Alyssa Thiel (Berlin, Wis.) finished second to Franke with a time of 25:53, with Emily Ortiz (Albert Lea, Minn. / 26:19), Molly Sweet (Prescott, Wis. / 26:40), Erika Thiel (Burr Ridge, Ill.  / 27:07), Alicia Berkenes (Buffalo, Minn. / 27:22), and Maddie Bollig (St. Croix Falls, Wis. / 29:11) rounding out the Cardinal lineup.
 
The Cardinals return to Northfield, Minn., on Nov. 11, when they take part in the NCAA Central Regional, hosted by Carleton.