DRAKE RUNNERS competed in their last meet of the season Saturday. The NCAA Midwest Regional meet took place in Springfield, Mo. Photo: Tyler O'Neil
Despite strong performances, both the men’s and women’s country teams failed to qualify for the NCAA Division I cross country championship meet.
The Drake men’s squad went on to place 19th out of the 25 teams who placed. The men’s field consisted of 30 teams, although many people dropped out and some teams didn’t run all seven runners, Head Coach Dan Hostager said.
The men’s team was once again anchored by senior Jeff Grassmeyer. Grassmeyer went on to finish 50th with a time of 32:31.7. Junior Mike Bumgarner finished second for the Bulldogs with a time of 33:40.8 and a 90th-place finish. Sophomore runners Derek Campbell and Colin Hagan finished under the 35-minute mark with times of 34:42.1 and 34:49.0, respectively. The men’s squad was able to beat out fellow MVC teams Bradley and Creighton, while Oklahoma State won the meet overall on the men’s side.
On the women’s side, the Bulldogs placed 16th out of 33 teams. Junior runner Casey McDermott once again proved why she is an all-conference runner, as she placed 32nd with a time of 21:44.6. McDermott was seven spots away from receiving all-region honors. Junior Meredith Bell followed McDermott with a time of 23:25.6 and a placement of 106th. Seniors Tara Scieszinski and Courtney Heinz finished under the 24-minute mark with times of 23:36.5 and 23:47.0, respectively. Drake was able to outrun MVC-rival Creighton while the University of Minnesota won the meet overall on the women’s side.
Although both teams desired for a berth in the NCAA Championship, all of the runners are now looking forward to track season to prove themselves once again. Unlike other track athletes, the distance runners are able to use cross country to benefit their track season and vice versa. Sophomore runner Colin Hagan said he is looking forward to track season, even though Drake won’t be battling many other Missouri Valley Conference teams.
“The only team we see regularly is probably Wichita State, but there are many great teams in the region,” Hagan said. “We will be competing with the best, because that’s how you become the best.”
The distance runners will be taking a break and beginning full training after the holiday break. While the core track team will begin in December, the distance runners start in the third week of January. Hostager is looking forward to the track season, believing the strong performances at regionals will lead to continued tenacity once track starts.
“We want to use this meet as momentum for the track season and use track season for next cross country season,” Hostager said.
Not only are the teams looking forward to track season, but next year’s cross country season as well.
“High school runners usually start visiting this time of year, so the team is obviously looking forward to getting some good talent for next year,” Grassmeyer said.
Although Grassmeyer’s graduation will be a loss to the team, Hostager said he is hopeful that his underclassmen will be able to step up in time for next season.
“We had both men and women run at regionals who hadn’t run at regionals before,” Hostager said.
Hostager is looking toward Bumgarner, Campbell and Hagan to lead the Drake men’s squad come next season. McDermott will return next year as a women’s team senior and Hostager is hoping she becomes an even greater force in the offseason.
