Michael Pierce/SBU cross country story on theMIAA.com
ABILENE, Texas -- The SBU Bearcats cross country teams are in Abilene, Texas at Abilene Christian University for the NCAA South Central Regional. Coach Corey McElhaney's squads are looking for a better result than last year, especially for the men's squad. Coming off an MIAA championship in 2008, the Bearcat men just missed out on their team qualifying for nationals, despite not having 2007 All-American Michael Pierce.
Now the senior-dominated group is at full strength and Pierce is coming off an MIAA individual championship at the conference meet in Emporia, Kansas. The competition will be just as tough as in 2008 and McElhaney believes his team has a shot. "Our goal right now is to get top three," McElhaney said. "I think the regional is up for grabs with four or five teams. It should be an interesting race just like conference."
The Bearcats are ranked in the region, behind MIAA champion Missouri Southern, Abilene Christian and Pittsburg State. SBU is 19th nationally, with Southern at 11th, ACU at 15th and Pitt State at 16th.
McElhaney realizes this might be the last race for the full group, but he also knows what a great team he has. "This is the best team SBU has ever had, hands down. But they don't show that. They are very humble."
On the women's side, McElhaney saw improvement from some runners at the conference meet. "A few ladies had personal best times but we fell short of our goal." Senior Chelsea Strahm was the top individual finisher at 29th. Much like in 2008, when Strahm finished 10th at the MIAA meet, she appears to be improving late in the season. Junior Rebecca Brigance has also been the top SBU runner in many races this season.
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The women's NCAA regional race begins at 9:30 a.m. while the men's race starts at 10:30 a.m. The top three men's teams advance to nationals while the top two women's squads move on to the national meet at Nelson Park. The NCAA Cross Country National Championships are at Southern Indiana in Evansville, Ind., on November 21, starting at 10 a.m.