SHELBYVILLE, Ind. - The Bluffton University Cross Country team traveled back to Shelbyville, Ind., for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional meet on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. Each race consisted of around 300 runners from schools in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
The women kicked off the day in the 6k and averaged over a minute faster than on the same course just two weeks ago. Senior Basil Gates (Galion) led the way with 26:28, wrapping up an illustrous career for the Purple and White. "It was a great day for a race and we couldn't have asked for better weather or competition. Gates had this to say about the meet and reflection on the season, "It was a great time like always and I'm very grateful to have been able to run this season- not just for myself, but for the fun, hardworking team we have right now. The future of Bluffton XC is bright." Freshmen Kamryn McDonald (Marion/Harding) wrapped up her season with a 28:40, just missing her PR by 17 seconds.
The men's race was up next and Bluffton was led by senior Cole Kropka (New London) for the last time, crossing the line in 27:01 and placing 110th, his best place finish in the regional meet. Kropka, who has completed his last competition for the Beavers as he is set to graduate this December, reflected on his final season saying, "After the race, I felt disappointed at first as I wasn't able to hit the goals I had going into this race, but after looking back on it I realized that I had left it all out there and had the highest place finish that I have had there. While my senior season didn't quite go the way I wanted it to, I am still proud of all the work that we put into this season and excited to see where the program goes"
Junior Jarrod Roudebush (Coshocton) came in next for the Beavers in 29:03. Sophomore Grant Beasley (Versailles) and freshman Kaden McWatters (Genoa/Genoa Area) kept each other close the whole race, finishing in 29:42 and 29:53, the latter of which was a PR for McWatters. Rounding out the top five was freshmen Jordan Croy (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) who finished in 31:10. Sophomores Micah Dodson (Wooster/Central Christian) and Chandler McCafferty (West Liberty/West Liberty-Salem) rounded out the squad in 31:51 and 32:33, respectively.
Although he wasn't able to compete in the last race, senior Braeden Horn (Galion) never wavered from the leadership with the team and showed support every step of the way and had this to say on the season, "Over the past weekend I was proud of how the team ran. They may not have had to times that they wanted, but they fought for their places. I may not have been able to run last cross country race with my "family" but I am glad I got to cheer them on. Throughout the season I was excited on how it would go. I started slow but I figured out my race strategy again. I was excited with how things were turning out this season. I was confident that coaches training would allow me to hit my goals and we were on track for it until the unfortunate happened. Overall, my final season of cross country was amazing and I wouldn't have wanted to run it anywhere else."
"Overall, I was extremely proud of how this group went out and competed every step of the race. While the times might not have been where we wanted them to be, each returner that had run regionals for the second time improved their placement from the previous years. I think this sets the team up very well when we start back up training for the track season," said Head Coach Connor Gulick with his thoughts on how the season wrapped up.
We want to thank our three seniors who have poured a lot of hard work, dedication, and leadership to the program throughout past four seasons.
The Beavers now take two weeks off to recover from the season and will begin training for the indoor season which takes off on Friday, Jan. 17.
-BEAVERS-