XC Times For September 20!

XC Times September 20, 2019 – THE NEWS XC FANS DEPEND ON – A GANNETT COMPANY XC Times Editorial Board

The Bradley Intercollegiate The Women’s Race We were thrilled with how well we ran at our first meet and are looking forward to even greater things today. We are healthy and hungry as we enter tonight’s meet. At our last meet, not only were we the overall team champions but we had four in the top ten! Audrey Klein, Katie Murano, Kyli Orr and Cat Lucht had great races and are gaining confidence and experience.

We are also very excited to welcome back Mackenzie Laughlin who has been injured since last fall. Mackenzie has been through so much since then and we are thrilled to have her back on the team competing.

Watch for our top group, Audrey, Katie, Kyli, Cat and Mackenzie to run together through at least a mile. After that, who knows who will be feeling good and take things to the next level?! It will be an exciting race and an exciting season!

The Men’s Race After three weeks of terrific training, we’re excited to be back on the start line! Our men felt good about our opening meets performance but know that we’re a long way from a finished product. This will be our first trip to the Bradley Intercollegiate meet. We will get to see a variety of teams we don’t normally see.

Our freshman competed at a high level at our first meet, highlighted by Spencer Moon, Eric Baldus and Noah Nelson. Jonathan Facio once again looked strong and poised for a big senior season. I’m excited to see how our guys react to our first 8K of the season.

Schedule of races: (times are approx.)

5:00p Women’s Race 5:40p Men’s Race Intercollegiate at Detweiller Park Today’s meet will be run at the well-known Detweiller Park. The course is known for its competitive and notably fast times. It is the home of the Illinois high school state championship meet.

We are excited to be one of the Division Three college teams competing at this 33rd running of this meet. A total of 23 teams are set to compete at the meet, including Division I schools Chicago State, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Southeast Missouri State and Western Illinois. The Storm are not intimidated by any sized school. We are ready to shock the world!

“The only thing we knew how to do, was to keep on keepin’ on”-Bob Dylan

XC Times September 20, 2019 – THE NEWS XC FANS DEPEND ON – A GANNETT COMPANY

In the Chute

By Audrey Klein

I actually had no interest whatsoever in coming to Simpson my senior year of high school. Both of my parents graduated from here and I was trying to get out from under their reach of connections. That is until I came on a visit here and fell in love. The campus was beautiful, the people were friendly, and Heath seemed pretty cool. Although I did not meet or talk to the team until I got on campus freshman year, the team was incredible. They were and still are supportive and encouraging, they challenge you, and pick you up when you are down. The team is my best friends!

It wasn’t until summer going into junior year did running turn around for me. I don’t mean in my ability to run but my mindset about running. Summer going into junior year I fell in love with running.

I had never had that love for running like so many of my teammates had before. It made it easy to go run in the heat or to get up bright and early to get it done. I was actually doing the little things like stretching and injury prevention to make sure I was healthy because I wanted to be able to run!

That’s when the ball started rolling for me, my times started dropping, I almost looked forward to races.

This year, it has been hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that this is it. It hit me hard that I would be done with school in three months, but it hasn’t hit me yet that I will be done with cross in two. I know I will always have running but I will miss a few aspects of running for Simpson college.

To my team: I will miss running with you guys for sure, the conversations we have on recovery days or lack of conversation on workouts, practice is our time to socialize. I will miss hours spent out on the roads with you guys on Saturday mornings and getting Millie’s coffee with you afterward. I will miss the early mornings and late nights with you guys!

To my coaches: I’m surprised you have made it this far! I’m a tough cookie and I know that but man, have you guys been great! Your willingness to work around anything and everything is amazing and makes running collegiately easy! Your ability to push me is what has gotten me this far, and your passion for this team is intoxicating!

To my fans (a.k.a. my parents and Blake): We're almost there! From middle school meets to now you guys have been there to push and convince me to do the best I can possibly be and to not take mediocre for good enough. Thank you for all the hours and miles put in traveling and watching me run and thank you for telling me how it really is and what needs to be done to succeed. Love you!!

XC Times September 20, 2019 – THE NEWS XC FANS DEPEND ON – A GANNETT COMPANY

SCXC

By Luke Evans

While running itself can be hindered by injuries, the social aspect doesn't falter. Through the many faces I've seen on this team, over the past three years as well as the present, we've always had a great group of both men and women. Things on the course may not have always gone according to plan for me, but the highs and lows of running come and go; The friendships are lifelong.

-Luke

Teams Competing Tonight Augustana Bradley Calumet-St. Joseph Carl Sandburg College Chicago State Columbia (MO) Danville Area CC Dubuque Hannibal-LaGrange Indiana Kokomo Judson Lincoln College Mac Murray Monmouth (IL) Morton College SE Missouri Simpson Southeastern CC St. Ambrose UNA-Bradley Wartburg Western Illinois Wis.-Green Bay

XC Times September 20, 2019 – THE NEWS XC FANS DEPEND ON – A GANNETT COMPANY

Our Next Meet Saturday October 5th Dan Huston Invitational Waverly, IA 10:45a Down the Road Friday October 11th Trent Smith Invitational Mason City, IA 5:15p Saturday October 19th Drews/Neubauer Invitational Ettrick, WI 11:45a Simpson Storm X-Country FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK and Twitter

Women’s 3 Mile Course

Men’s 8K Course