Justifying their ever-improving places in the CIS rankings, the Marauder cross country teams each fulfilled their potential on Saturday to claim team bronze at the OUA Championships in Waterloo.

Three members of the no. 4-ranked Marauder men's team were named as OUA All-Stars in the wake of their 10km race, as Blair Morgan cracked the first team while Connor Darlington and Taylor Forbes were included in the second team. McMaster's low post on the women's side, Maddy McDonald missed inclusion in the all-star ranks by just two places, finishing 16th.

McMaster's men repeated as OUA bronze medallists -- and claimed their third straight podium position at the conference championships -- with a team total of 64 points. Morgan was the Marauders top finisher, crossing the line in sixth with Darlington following hot on his heels to finish eighth and Forbes shadowing his teammate for ninth. Taylor's brother Austen scored fourth for McMaster, placing 18th, while Gabriel Ghiglione completed the scoring by crossing the finish line 23rd.

Completing Mac's seven-man contingent were Derek Van Schepen, who placed 27th, and Luke Charbonneau, who placed 40th.

Meanwhile, the Marauder women provided something of an upset on Saturday, overtaking the higher-ranked Toronto Varsity Blues to nab a podium position. McDonald, as she has been for years, was McMaster's leader on the day, finishing 16th to score first. A clutch performance from Emily Nowak saw the third-year racer cross the line just two places behind McDonald to finish 18th and score second.

Veteran Gabrielle Foran was McMaster's third scorer, placing 21st, with fellow vet Chelsea Mackinnon tagging along to cross the line 22nd. Completing the scoring for the Marauders, Maddie Benjamin finished 26th as McMaster sealed a total of 103 team points.

Lauren Locco and Soren Meeuwisse rounded out the group of seven, finishing 32nd and 43rd respectively.

McMaster now enjoys a week away from competition, as they train for the CIS Championships to be hosted by the Guelph Gryphons on November 14.