By: Jenia Freewalt, sports information assistant
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. - On Friday, Oct. 29, the Beavers traveled to Shelbyville, Ind., to stay overnight in preparation for the HCAC Championship at Blue River Memorial Park on Saturday afternoon. The course was a little muddy, but for the most part, the conditions made for a good race!
The starting gun sounded for the start of the men's 8k competition at Noon on Saturday. Bluffton's men finished the race in 7th place overall. Leading the Beavers was sophomore Alex Montross (Perrysburg) in 19th place with a time of 28:32. Montross earned honorable mention All-HCAC by placing in the top 20 after a very gutsy race. Following Montross were freshman Adam Menser (North Ridgeville) in 38th place with a time of 29:36, and freshman Cole Kropka (New London) in 41st with a time of 29:39.
Following the men's competition was the women's 6k race at 1:00. Freshman Basil Gates (Galion) was the first across the line for the Beavers, and finished 4th in the conference! Basil finished the race with a time of 24:22. After a hard race that required determination and grit, Gates was awarded Freshman of the Year! Following Gates were sophomore Miranda Billman (Castalia/Margaretta), finishing in 29th place with a time of 26:51, and freshman Clara Matthews (Bluffton) who took 30th with a time of 26:55.
Head Coach Scott Black was very pleased with the team's performance this weekend, saying, "I thought a lot of the runners responded well to the moment and really left it all out on the course, most noticeably Basil Gates bringing home HCAC Newcomer of the Year with her 4th place finish."
"If I had to say anything, it would be that the team did absolutely awesome this weekend," Gates said. "I feel like the team has a great bond that really helped motivate each other to push through to the end. Everyone had some great goals set in mind too in preparation for the race, and I'm really proud of the team and I for how we did!"
"Overall, it was certainly an effort we can build on as we head into regionals."-Head Coach Scott Black
In two weeks on Saturday, Nov. 13, the Beavers will travel back to Blue River Memorial Park for the NCAA Regionals.
The HCAC sportsmanship award was developed as part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative in 2009. Members of the All-HCAC Sportsmanship team are selected by the coaches and their teammates as individuals who demonstrate the ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field/court of competition. Nominees must have demonstrated consistently the values of respect, and integrity in his or her daily participation in intercollegiate athletics. Sophomores Jenia Freewalt (Delphos/St. John's) and Zach Boch (Lancaster) were recognized from Bluffton Cross Country.
-BEAVERS-
