During this weekend's Monon Bell Classic, the men's and women's cross-country teams competed in the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Championship in Grand Rapids, Mich. for a spot at the NCAA National meet.
The Lady Tigers finished seventh out of 33 schools, with a total score of 197 points. Senior captain, Siri Retrum, led the pack, placing 16th overall and receiving All-Region honors. Retrum finished with a time of 22:22.3, qualifying for nationals as an individual.
"I was prepared for the last race of my career," Retrum said. "I knew I would be happy either way."
Retrum will be competing this weekend in Hanover, Ind.
"I had such a great time this season with the team, qualifying was icing on the cake," she said.
Sophomore Heather O'Brien and first-year Emma MacAnally followed Retrum, each receiving All-Region honors. O'Brien finished 23rd with a time of 22:35.7 and MacAnally finishing right behind her in 33rd with a time of 22:52.7. The rest of the pack was made up of junior Hope Jordan, senior Ashley Guevara, and first years Becca Conley and Lois Miller.
The men's team, all sporting mustaches, placed 13th out of 35 teams at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Championship. Junior Noah Gatwood led the pack, finishing in 42nd place with a time of 26:16.5 for 8,000 meters. Senior captain Stu Newstat followed Gatwood with a time of 26:23.7. The rest of the pack finished within 60 seconds of one another.
Junior Will Bond has had his setbacks this season, but he managed to overcome, running the eight kilometers in 27:17.7. In early August, Bond was hospitalized due to health complications while running.
"I was so ready for the race, it had to have been the 69 Boyz I was blaring on the bus", said Bond.
It has been a successful season for both the men and women's team. Now many of them get to rest for the first day in months as they recover and begin to prepare for indoor track and field.