On September 13, the Raider cross country team stayed close to home for their second race of the season, the Dordt Sunflower Open. For the men, this was the first competition of the year running the traditional 8-kilometer distance. For the women, it was their second and final time this season running the 5-kilometer, as they will advance to the 6-kilometer in upcoming meets. Not everyone on the team competed, as the top 10 on both the men’s and women’s side were preparing to race in the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota the following Friday.
Facing warmer conditions than in previous mornings, the Raiders embraced the challenge. Running personal best times was all but impossible given the heat, but the team focused simply on giving all they had on the day and pushing themselves to pass their opponents, ultimately finished fourth in the team standings for both the men and women.
“I was proud of the efforts of most of our Raiders,” Head Coach Scott Bahrke said. “The hot conditions got the best of some of our competitors.”
“Our Raiders had to tough it out, so while our times were not necessarily what we wanted, our effort was in the right place,” George Livingston, sophomore, said. Livingston led the men’s team with a 46th place finish.
The Dordt meet included several other National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) teams and Division II schools. The course itself provides good training for the difficult terrain the Raiders will need to excel on throughout this season.
“The Dordt course is a solid all-rounder with hills, straights, and downhills atop a rather average incline,” Livingston said. “Most of the course has no shade, so the sun can be a big bonus obstacle.”
Junior Karina Hulzebos led the women’s team, also with a 46th place finish.
“I think that the Dordt course is great to compete on, and the hills give you an extra challenge while racing,” Hulzebos said. “There is always great competition, and we were able to see some more Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) teams competing.”
Racing against tough conference rivals is crucial to building the confidence and grit necessary for a strong postseason, where the team hopes to capitalize.
“Our main goal is to be a competitive force within the GPAC, and hopefully, the greater NAIA,” Livingston said. “On top of this, we also have spiritual and academic goals, exemplifying the multi-disciplinary nature of Raider athletics. Keeping each other accountable and trusting the process will be two key contributors to our success this season. The season has been moving in the right direction so far. Minimal injuries, focused training, and exciting prospects are propelling the team forward.”
