XC Times "Bill Buxton Invitational" August 30, 2019

XC Times August 30, 2019 – THE NEWS XC FANS DEPEND ON – A GANNETT COMPANY XC Times Editorial Board

The Bill Buxton Invitational The Women’s Race Tonight we will the pleasure of seeing a veteran Simpson Women’s Team. With a summer of great training and another year’s experience our women’s squad should be further along in their progression than last year at this time.

Look for senior, Audrey Klein to drive the bus for our lead pack through the first mile. Audrey had a fantastic track season, breaking her personal best in the 800m, but most of all staying healthy!

After the one mile mark, the horses have to run! Junior Emily Buchheit, sophomores Katie Murano, Kyli Orr, Sophie Hall, Abby Loecke and Cat Lucht all who had great summers, should be eager to let the reigns out.

Sticking with our race horse analogy, we are pleased to welcome a new crop of 1st and 2nd year fillies. Isabella Mertens, Kylee Bass, Olivia Klein, Paige Nygaard, Abby Bowers and sophomore Ellie Steenhoek. It’ll be their first meet as collegiate athletes and it will interesting to see how their college career starts.

The Men’s Race Fall is officially here! Hard to believe that this is my 9th season here at Simpson College, but I couldn’t be more grateful to lead the Storm once again this fall. Simpson is an amazing place to work, because of how wonderful the student-athletes are. I never take it for granted and feel very grateful for the opportunity to continue to call Simpson College home.

This fall will be another exciting one. We have all the components for a very solid team. We have veteran leadership, a large group of talented runners returning, and an outstanding freshman class. Our seniors this year will be relied on all fall for leadership and also for their performances. Jonathan Facio, an allconference and all-region runner returns for his final season of eligibility. He’s coming off a fantastic track season and I’m excited to see what he can do this fall. Tyler Combs is also back and looking to build on his tremendous fall from a year ago. He had a big breakthrough at the regional meet and has positioned himself well for another excellent season.

Also back from our regional squad is Ryan Courtney, Cale Billheimer and Caleb Cobbs. Those men all put in a great foundation and are looking to move up in the conference and region as well. We have seven newcomers to the squad this fall. They are a very talented group and all have adjusted very well to college distance running.

This is by far our deepest team since I arrived and I’m excited for the challenge to get them all to run their best at the conference and regional meet this year. We have a lot of work to do until our championship portion of our season, but I know our men are eager to work and improve.

XC Times August 30, 2019 – THE NEWS XC FANS DEPEND ON – A GANNETT COMPANY Schedule of races: (times are approx.)

5:00p Women’s Race 5:40p Men’s Race

XC 101: “The Curious Sport of Cross Country Some of you may be new to the, sometimes mystifying world of cross-country. It is sometimes a seemingly chaotic and weird event resembling more of a civil war reenactment than a high school running event. Fear not! Becoming the wise and savvy cross-country fan can be yours by simply mastering the simple guidelines of the “Master XC Fan.”

Scoring: The numeric value of the 5 top places for each team is added together and the team with the

lowest score wins. In case of a tie the 6th runner’s place is included and if there is still a tie the 7th runner’s place is included. Low team score wins.

Example: Storm Individual Results: Keith Ellingson 1st Shelby Houlihan 3rd Heath Moenck 6th Karissa Schweizer 8th Jenny Simpson 10th 1+3+6+8+10=28 points

Team Score Simpson 28 (Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner!)

Stanford 35 Oregon 40 Colorado 51 In short, the team who gets their 5 runners across the finish line first generally wins. So, we like to see the long Red and Yellow line coming into the finish line area ahead of the competition.

Spectating: It is way too easy to only watch the start of the race and then go camp at the finish line. This is minimal and your runner would much rather see your smiling and encouraging face out on the course where they probably need you more. The savvy xc fan plans their race ahead of time, determining how they can see their runner as many times out on the course as possible. Failing to leave the start and or finish line areas will possibly subject you to the mockery and scorn of other more seasoned xc fans.

Cheering: Parents: It is generally a good rule of thumb never to include pet names such as “honey,” “darling,” lovey,” “snuggle bunny” or “sweetheart” in any of your cheers. This will likely have a negative effect on your son or daughter. Also, telling your runner to sprint is never advised until perhaps the last 200m of a race. As a rule, be positive and supportive to your young runner while never saying derogatory things about any of the other competing runners. Simpson athletes and fans are always supportive and encouraging to all runners regardless of their team.

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

XC Times August 30, 2019 – THE NEWS XC FANS DEPEND ON – A GANNETT COMPANY

In the Chute

By Rebekah Brainard

Through years of support and love from teammates at Simpson, enough advice to fill several books from my coaches in the last four years, and the unwavering belief in my abilities from my family and friends, I have been able to grow into the runner I am today. Without Simpson Cross Country, I would not have the discipline, perseverance, or determination that has helped me develop in all aspects of my life, athletic or otherwise. Without my running partners, current or past, I would have never dreamed I could survive nine long years of running (with four on a college team, no less!)

It is the unity that comes from being a member on this team that sets us apart from our competitors, and is one of the greatest strengths that we bring with us to meets this season. When we as Simpson Cross Country show up to Waverly, Dubuque, and all of our other competitions, we will do it together. We are stronger as athletes when we can share our experiences and support systems. Like trees in a forest or grass in a field, we do better when we intertwine our positivity and growth. As individuals, we can strengthen ourselves by bringing others our unique outlook. Whether this is a quote from a favorite pro runner, a new stretch that we found helped with our aching muscles, or a silly story that uplifts and inspires us, we bring “better” to the team everyday.

A lesson I’d like to pass on to my fellow runners on the course, as I turn the page in the final chapter of my cross-country career, would be to take each day as they come. Letting your bad days define you can lead down a hard and hurtful path, full of self-doubt, negative thoughts, and a cloud of judgment thicker than a 6 AM run mindfog. Taking each day, carefully reviewing it as it comes, and then releasing it to start the next day fresh and carefree has been the best way for me to stay in love with the crazy, tough sport that we all enjoy so much. Rediscovering passion every day in new ways can make life that much more fulfilling and beautiful. Enjoying an unsanctioned run through a sprinkler on the route, stopping to pet a cute dog, trying on new shoes and feeling the potential in the unworn soles, and loving the excitement that builds in spectators and competitors alike ten minutes before the fire of the gun are all ways that I have rediscovered my passion again and again.

What we have out in the field is special, and we must never lose sight of why running became so essential to all of us in the first place.

From a place of love in my heart for everyone who has helped both myself and all of us on the team, I thank those who take their time to improve and support the best team in the conference.

From the beginning of the season to the end, we’ve all got something amazing waiting for us on the course!

XC Times August 30, 2019 – THE NEWS XC FANS DEPEND ON – A GANNETT COMPANY

Behind the Ropes

By Rachel Brainard

Bekah has learned a lot as a Simpson athlete. She has learned to trust, to listen to, and to take advice from her coaches and fellow teammates.

Consistent well thought out practice leads to improvement in race time.

She focuses with determination on running a good race; always pushing to improve her personal best. Accepting that as not always possible and stopping to rethink has also been part of the growing process. By working to overcome injuries she has also learned to persevere while still striving to do her best.

These efforts have carried over to other areas of her life such as her academics.

Bekah looked forward to coming to Simpson and joining the cross-country team. She ran with her team in high school and enjoyed the camaraderie. The “family” feeling was present with the Simpson team as well. She soon made friends and found it helpful to know upperclassmen. They helped her with scheduling, classes, and all the things freshmen don’t know. Now as a senior, she is helping the new girls on the team. Being part of a team means you have a circle of friends to study with, go to a movie with, or just hang out with. It also means looking out for each other. Bekah has always wanted everyone treated fairly. Celebrating as a team while also cheering each one on to do their best is important to her.

In 3rd grade, her teacher said that she was the most empathetic student she had ever had. Her life experiences and her recent specialized training make her well suited to be a stable and positive influence on her teammates. Other students often seek her out to have her help them problem solve. She also works as a buffer when there are conflicts between individuals. Her patience is evident when a teammate, roommate, or others simply need a listening non-judgemental ear.

Being a good team member, doing her individual best as an athlete, and providing encouraging support have made Bekah into the confident young lady she is today.

Rachel Brainard, Grandmother

XC Times August 30, 2019 – THE NEWS XC FANS DEPEND ON – A GANNETT COMPANY

SCXC

By Tyler Combs

Cross country at Simpson has been a life changing experience for me. I transferred to Simpson after my freshman year at Iowa state. I transferred because I missed the feeling of being on a team, I missed the family aspect and competing.

Ever since I’ve been here I’ve had nothing but good experiences whether that be training and or in the class room. Even though I’m from Indianola Simpson feels like a home away from home.

I couldn’t be more thankful for the friends that I have made, the coaching staff, trainers, and teachers that have shaped my Simpson journey to be the best that it could be.

I’m looking forward to great senior year but also ready for my next chapter in life that Simpson has prepared me for.

Teams Competing Tonight Southwestern Community College Bellvue William Penn Iowa Wesleyan Buena Vista Graceland Grand View Simpson Alums Unattached Runners

XC Times August 30, 2019 – THE NEWS XC FANS DEPEND ON – A GANNETT COMPANY

Our Next Meet Friday September 20:

Bradley Intercollegiate 5pm @ Peoria, IL The Following Week Friday September 27th

Augustana Invitational Rock Island, IL 10:30a Down the Road Saturday October 5th

Dan Huston Invitational Waverly, IA 11:30a Simpson Storm X-Country FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK and Twitter

Women’s 4k Course

Men’s 6k Course