Saturday, both the men's and women's cross country teams raced at Seminole Valley Park in Linn County, Iowa. For the first time this season, both teams had big competition and runners to compete against with both fighting well and hard especially in warmer temps. 

On the men's side racing the 8k, not only did Ross Willerth for his third race in a row get first for SAU, but he PR'd by four seconds with a time of 26:17. Second on the men's team was Chris Miserendino (26:56) and Gavin Stalzer a bit later in third, also with a PR of 27:11.

Finishing off the top-five runners on the men's team was Ian Eller (27:15) and Kevin Chaney (28:04). Other men that PR'd included Carver Reiss (28:09), a minute PR from Anthony Conard (29:17), a 25-second PR from Shyam Devasthali (30:00), a three-minute PR from Mason Schaack (30:40), and almost a minute PR from Samuel Beamon (31:16). Jack Degner also ran a season record in the 8k with a time of 30:27.

Overall, on the women's side with racing the 6k, the Bees placed third in the meet as a team with also three of the runners placing inside the top 20. In ninth place overall was Kaitlyn Knoche with a time of (22:32), 15th place was Adeline Smith with a 54-second PR (23:05), and Allison Hein with over a minute PR of 23:15.

Maurina Fahrenkrug ran a PR of 23:27 cutting minutes off of her previous 6k PR along with Lauren Johnson running a 40-second PR (24:19). Other individuals who PR'd included Carlie Woolm (25:27), Loryn Heil (29:26), Eileen Elenteny (29:35), Emma Carter (30:07) and Gaby Gonzalez, who ran over a three-minute PR of 34:53. Other individuals who ran at the meet included Lexi Minard (23:58) and Lexi Havercamp (26:52). Not only did the St. Ambrose women get third overall in the meet, but as a team they broke the team record in the 6k with a total time of 1:56:30.

There are big things happening for both teams as the Bees are now halfway through the season. With eyes on nationals, both men and women are looking for every opportunity to qualify and stand out. The next meet is on Oct. 10 at Indian Hills, where the women are looking at the opportunity to race a 5k and men continuing their racing with an 8k.