The Waynesburg University men’s and women’s cross-country teams traveled to West Virginia for the Bethany Invitational meet this past Saturday. 

The men took the hilly race head on with two of Waynesburg’s freshmen leading the group. Ethan Wilson crossed the finish line first, placing58  out of the 100 runners. Following Wilson, Aiden McGee followed to the finish right after in 59 place. Wilson explained   that with the Bethany meet out of the way, the hardest courses are behind the team. 

“With running both the PAC course and a hilly course, we know that the hardest part is behind us,” Wilson said. “We know that from here, the courses are easier and the PAC course we have already raced, so we know what to expect going into championships.”

Head Coach Chris Hardie says that he is proud of the men’s overall performance this past weekend, but recognizes that it being early in the season, there are still places for the team to grow. 

“It is really pacing for them (freshmen). I think they are running well, they just don’t understand pace, so they are all over the board with slow mile, fast mile,” Hardie said. “The goal for them is to really figure out that the 8k for the guys is long, it’s pacing and it’s not go out so fast then you are in survivor mode. So that’s what we are working on, pacing, pacing, pacing.”

After a hard run course at Bethany, the men’s team will not compete this upcoming weekend, although they still intend to use this time to their advantage. 

“Although we are not racing, we do not have a ‘week off.’ We have two challenging workouts scheduled for the week with recovery long runs and lifts structured into the week to continue building fitness,” Wilson said. “The goal is to still be challenged hard this week so we can go lighter next week and crush it at Lock Haven.” 

As for the women, they had another week with multiple runners placing high: Grace Tanksley (16), Taylor Severt (23), Chole Fields (29) and Jaylene Mundorff). Severt expresses how this weekend’s race was still a challenge despite her placing. 

“Reflecting back on Bethany’s course, it was definitely a challenge as the hills are a change to my typical races back home,” Severt said. “However, I feel like in the long run, these tough hilly courses for myself are making me a better athlete.”

Hardie commented that once Tanksley, Severt and Reagan Pettis begin to try together, it will not only help Severt progress throughout the season but help all three of them heading to regionals. 

“They do not really practice together much, so last week we sat down and worked on some common times we can practice,” Hardie said. “They each have distinct styles, so if they learn from each other’s style and learn to run from each other, I think it will be really helpful, especially for big races.”

The women’s team will also not compete this week. Severt explains how a week with no meet will also be beneficial to the team. 

“As we have this week off from racing, we are going to get some good quality training in for Lock Haven,” Severt said. “I feel like each day we are getting better despite the days that feel impossible.”

Both the men’s and women’s cross-country teams next meet will be Sept. 28 at the Lock Haven Invitational.