Disclaimer
| Communications/Humanities
| Return to Division/Area
Menu | PVCC
Home | Students
| Employees
| Visitors
| Alumni
| Disclaimer
| Communications/Humanities
| Return to Division/Area
Menu | PVCC
Home | Students
| Employees
| Visitors
| Alumni
|
 |
|
Women’s cross country team wins Nationals
By Kelsey Perry
Contemporary Culture Editor
On Nov. 9, at the Division II National Junior College Athletic Association Cross Country Meet at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, the PVCC women’s cross country team finished first to become national champions and the PVCC men’s team placed third. "It was tough because we were all very excited, but we were very disappointed too," says head coach Dave Barney, referring to the mixed emotions felt by both teams. The women, who are also this year’s regional champions, finished ahead of Johnson County Community College from Overland Park, Kan. and Lansing Community College from Lansing, Mich. who tied for second place. The Puma’s had quite a significant lead with an overall score of 41 to the second places’ 61 (the lowest score wins in cross country). The girls ran a strong race with three runners in the top 15, earning All-American status. Sophomore’s Krysta Young and Jessica Helter placed 4th and 5th, and freshman Molly Jacobs placed 14th. The Nov. 9 victories were the result of months of hard work and miles of sweat and pain. "All year we were expected to win," says sophomore Krysta Young, "and all our goals were set toward Nationals; it was unreal when we found out." However, the celebration was bittersweet. "It was disappointing because we all thought we were both going to win and yet it was really exciting, too," says freshman Molly Jacobs, referring to the men’s team placing third. In fact, the women attribute their success to the men’s leadership.
"Without their support it wouldn’t have been the same," Young says. "They set the example and we just followed what they were doing all year." Jacobs recalls the words of teammate Sharon Palmer. "I remember what Sharon said the night before, ‘If you slow down, it makes the pain worse,’" Jacobs says, "so I knew I couldn’t slow down." Coach Barney is pleased with the women’s performance. "The girls stepped it up and got the job done," he says. The men’s team finished third behind champions Rend Lake Community College from Ina, Ill., and Johnson County Community College in second place. The Puma’s score was 97 to Rend Lakes 45. The men’s team had two All-American, top-10 finishers. Sophomores Josh Robles and Jose Campos finished 6th and 7th. The men also earned titles as regional s and conference champions this year. "Just because we didn’t win Nationals doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good season," says sophomore, All-American Josh Robles. Coach Barney says it just wasn’t the men’s day to win. "Some things you can’t control," Barney says. "Everything that could go wrong, did." Sophomore Brandon Schmidt can attest to that. After running a well-paced race and putting himself in a prime position, Schmidt began to kick at the last mile of the five-mile race. Now in 5th place and just meters before the finish, his legs cramped, his body gave and he fell to the ground. "I’m all about guts… I ran as hard as I could and I just passed out," he says. "I kept trying to get up, but I couldn’t even walk." Another teammate came to his aid. "All I remember was Jose," Schmidt says, referring to his teammate Jose Campos, who while still running the race, attempted to pick him up and help him across the line. "That just goes to show how much our team cares about each other." The men have put a positive spin on their loss. Sophomore Jose Campos sums it up best. "I’m very proud of our team, and they better watch out for us in track because we’re hungry, and they just added more wood to the fire," he says. |
|
Last updated: December 16, 2002 |
