Bees are the champions, again

            After months of hard work and perspiration, the Fighting Bees Cross Country Team finally got a chance to show display their abilities this past Saturday at the Midwest Classic Conference. 

            The Men’s team took the championship title scoring a 30 to shut out Grand View College who took second with 43 points.

            “We were the favorites going in,” said SAU head coach Dan Zeimet, of the men’s team. “We just went in there and took care of business.”

            Cliff Miles (So., AlWood) led the way for the men’s team outpacing the rest of the field by 24 seconds.  While Miles led the way it was really the second pack that secured the title. 

            That pack consisted of Alex Flores (Sr., Hall) who finished in third, James Hogan (So., Alleman), who finished fifth and Doug Brusich (So., Dickinson), who finished seventh.  These Bees earned four out of seven All Conference Honors.

            On the ladies side the team took second by a mere five points, finishing with a team score of 32 behind Mount Mercy (27).  Although second is slightly disappointing, the ladies really left it all on the course.

            “We got beat by the home team, on their home course,” Zeimet said, “and they had to run an excellent race to beat us.”

            The ladies packed it up early, leading the race for the first mile.  From there they spread out a bit and competed with Mount Mercy for the rest of the race.  The Bees were not intimidated by the course despite the hill that they had to conquer, instead they just went out, knowing the task ahead of them and worked together to try and accomplish that. 

            Three of the ladies earned all conference honors.  Jessica Olsen (Sr., Prophetstown), took second, only three seconds behind the first place finisher from Mount Mercy.  Mary Kate Dunne (Sr., Sandburg), and Cassie Young (Fr., Davenport Central), took fifth and sixth respectively.

            Both teams went into the conference meet really focused and ready to compete.  This is a mentality that they will take with them to the NAIA Regional VII Championship.

            The team is aiming high at regionals which will take place on Saturday, November 3, at Crow Creek Park in Bettendorf.  Their goal is to win as a team, and if that doesn’t happen to send as many individuals as possible to the NAIA National Championships in Kenosha, Wisconsin on November 17. 

            Coach Zeimet says that the team has pleasantly surprised him a few times this season and so why not at regionals too.

            “It’s our home course and in any given race the top runners can rise to the occasion.” said Coach Zeimet. “However there are a few challenges in the way, namely St. Xavier and Olivet Nazarene on both sides, as well as Mount Mercy for the ladies.”

            Captain Jessica Olsen shares a similar outlook and wants the team to give it their best shot to make it to nationals.

            “Mount Mercy beat us last week,” said Olsen. “Now we need to know that we can beat them on our home course, at regionals.”

            The team will be spending the next week on mentally preparing themselves for regionals and fine tuning their running.