The Ohio Northern women's cross country team will look to post its 16th consecutive upper division Ohio Athletic Conference in 2017 under 9th-year head coach Jason Maus.

The Polar Bears finished fourth in the OAC in 2016 after finishing the season with a 49-49 record.

"Our women have improved quite a bit," said head coach Jason Maus. "We think we may be able to surprise some people this season. Our girls worked hard during the offseason and really put in the time to get better."

Maus and his staff welcome back nine letterwinners in 2017, led by senior OAC Champion Emily Richards (Delaware/Hayes).

Richards, a 5-time track and field National Champion, returns to the team after being injured for much of the 2016 season.

The senior claimed the OAC individual title in 2015, before finishing second at the OAC Championships in 2016.

"We are really happy with where our returners are at heading into the season," said Maus. "A lot of these girls got some great experience last year. We are really looking for our team to be more competitive this year. We really want to stress competition and see who can step up for us."

ONU welcomes six newcomers in 2017.

Northern will open the 2017 season at the annual Bluffton 5k Invitational on Sept. 1, before it travels to the Calvin (Mich.) Invitational on Sept. 9.

ONU will also compete at the Tiffelberg Open on Sept. 16 and the All-Ohio Championships on Sept. 29 to close out the month of September.

After traveling to the Wis.-Oshkosh Invitational on Oct. 14, Northern will compete in the OAC Championships on Oct. 28.

The Great Lakes Regional meet is slated for Nov. 11 in Delaware, Ohio, while the NCAA III Championships will take place in Elsah, Ill. on Nov. 18.