On Saturday, the SAU cross country team continued its season on its home course at Crow Creek Park in Bettendorf, Iowa. Facing some challenging hills and warmer temperatures, nevertheless both men's and women's Bees came out on top.

Some of the competitions on the men's team included Sauk Valley and Iowa Track & Field Club. The top-five SAU finishers of the men's 8k included Ross Willerth (first overall), Chris Miserendino (second), Ian Eller (third), Gavin Stalzer (fourth), and Kevin Chaney (seventh).

For a second back-to-back meet this season on the home course of the Bees, Ross Willerth finished first, this time with a time of 26:21 in the 8k. Not only did he place first, but he recorded a 13-second PR. Miserendino ran a time of 27:41, Eller ran a 27:43, Stalzer ran close to a PR with a 28:00, and Chaney finished with a 28:53. Other SAU men who ran included a PR from Shyam Devasthali placing ninth with a time of 30:25, Jack Degner 10th with a 30:53, and Anthony Conard (31:20). Both Samuel Beamon (32:02) and Mason Schaack (33:36) made their debut to the 8k as well.

On the women's side, the Bees placed first of three teams, racing against Coe and Iowa Track & Field Club.

In this 6k race, Kaitlyn Knoche finished first with a time of 23:49, Allison Hein second with a 24:21.2, and third came not shortly after with a 24:21.7 from Adeline Smith. Alexa Minard placed fourth with a time of 24:34 and Lauren Johnson ran a PR by 19 seconds (25:01). Maurina Fahrenkrug made her 6k debut, running a 25:42 (sixth). Other SAU women who ran included Carlie Woolm (eighth in 27:00), Alexis Havercamp (10th in 28:15), Loryn Heil (30:26) and Eileen Elenteny (31:25). Other freshmen who made their debut in the 6k included Emma Carter (31:35) and Gaby Gonzalez (37:09).

Despite the weather and the terrain, the Bees know how to put up a good fight! Men's and Women's Cross Country next meet will be at Olivet Nazarene for the Midwest Classic on Friday, Sept. 19.