Cross-country takes first in 8K
The men’s cross-country team had a great start this season. They finished first as a team in the 8K Bob Gravett Invitational with 32 points and second in the 8K Commodore Classic with 79 points altogether.
The first place runner for the men’s team in the Commodore Classic was sophomore Russell Chase. He finished the 8K course in a time of 26:29.9. Chase was also named Great American Conference Men’s Runner of the Week.
“I was honored to be HU’s top finisher. It feels great to be an important part of such a great program,” Chase said. “However, I really only became our top finisher because of a few complications. Our other top runners were recovering from some illnesses that have been going around, and the course was very hilly which is my specialty. We have a very strong group of runners, and we still have a lot of hard work to do. I believe anyone could be our top runner next race.”
The cross-country team spends many hours training for races, not just running but also eating healthy and getting plenty of sleep. Senior Logan Green mentioned that all of these were key for the team, but difficult to maintain as busy college students.
“We have a strong team environment that makes every day enjoyable,” Green said. “Being together so much, we become close friends. It is fun to be a part of a group that is willing to sacrifice and work hard towards our common goal.”
Chase said that it was rewarding to be able to train and compete with such a hard-working group of Christians, and pushing yourselves as hard as possible with the same people every day forges the strongest friendships.
Pensacola, Fla., is the team’s next stop. They will race in the Gulf Coast Stampede, hosted by University of West Florida on Sept. 27 followed by the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival in Fayetteville, Ark. on Oct. 4, then the UALR Invitational on Oct. 18 in Little Rock.
