Two years ago the Gustavus women’s cross country team won the Conference Championships, earning themselves a chance to compete at the National meet. Last season, after graduating several of their top runners, the women’s team took fifth at the Conference meet and was unable to qualify for Nationals. This year, the women’s team has their sights set on a top-three finish at the Conference meet and a return to the National competition.

“We’ve lost some key individuals over the last two years—we graduated many of the individuals who ran at Nationals two years ago, so the team is realizing that those individuals are not coming back and if they want to make it to Nationals again they have to do it themselves with the runners they have now,” Head Coach Dale Bahr said.

The Conference meet is the climax of the cross country season, when the team’s preparation of long runs, interval workouts, weight lifting regimens, nutrition plans, and mental toughness is put to the test. It’s the meet the team trains for throughout the season, because it is the meet that not only determines their ranking within the conference, but it also determines whether or not the team will advance to the National meet.

“I would say that the most anticipated race this season is the Conference Championships in November, which is among the biggest races of the season. It is a fun race and what our entire season leads up to, but even more so, it is great to see how much everyone has progressed come Conference time and to see all of our hard work put into action,” Junior Captain Lauren Shurson said. The team took to the racecourse for the first time last weekend when Gustavus hosted its annual Gustie Invitational. The Gustavus women competed against alumni of the cross country program, as well as Bethany Lutheran College and Saint Mary’s University. The women’s team took home the gold in Saturday’s competition, with Junior Marit Sonnesyn leading the way for the Gusties.

“Our first meet went well. Everyone raced really hard and we each learned what our strengths are. This race also gave us an idea of what we want to be working on in our upcoming meets so that we’re ready when Conference Championships come around,” Sonnesyn said.

With the Conference meet looming on the horizon, the women have a list of goals they have set for the season. The goal of a top three performance at Conference and a return to Nationals is only a fraction of what the team aims to accomplish this year.

“This year our goals are to give everything in every single race so that we represent both our team and Gustavus well,” Senior Marit Henckel said.

“We also want to have fun, stay healthy and work together everyday and push one another, while maintaining a positive atmosphere on the team,” Shurson added.

This weekend, the women’s team will travel to Pella, Iowa where they will compete in the Central College Invitational.

This Saturday’s meet will be the first meet of the season in which the women will run a full 6k, and is one of four 6k races that stand between the team and their goal of a top three finish at the Conference Championships.

-Linnea Moat