This past weekend was a big weekend for D3 Cross Country. Teams are starting to show their true colors and individuals are beginning to have break out races. Tom Sawyer Park played host to the D3 Pre National Meet to give teams and athletes a preview of what’s to come in November. We mentioned this in last week’s episode that the real season is beginning. Simon Heys and Evie Bultemeyer came away with the individual titles. Both had similar race strategies as they hung out in the pack, matched every move, and waited until it was time to make their own move.

Evie is familiar with these big races. She is a 4x All American in Track and in 2019 placed 8th at Cross Country Nationals - yet still sees this as a big win for her career. This seas is different for her as she is off campus getting her Master’s Degree and doesn’t have the luxury of being around her teammates. However, the power of FaceTime has allow Evie to stay close with her team during this time. She’s up to her highest mileage ever and is getting excited for the end of the year meets and hopes to help her team qualify for the National Meet.

Simon calls this the biggest win of his career. He’s fresh off his first National Meet last spring in the 10k and is hungry to improve upon his 13th place finish. He gets fired up about how strong his conference (OAC) is and how that competition will prepare him for the National meet. With this win, he’s beginning to view himself a little differently as a runner and is adjusting his already big goals.

This was a great conversation to get insight into their races and hear from current student-athletes.

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