After hosting their first home meet in five years, the Waynesburg University women’s cross country team had this past week off to prepare for the DeSales Invitational.

Despite having early success in the year, the cross country team has been facing roadblocks of its own. Injuries to top runners have been affecting the team since the start of the season.

With all the injuries happening, head coach Chris Hardie is not letting it stop the team from succeeding.

“We always have to stay as positive as we can be,” said Hardie. “Because of the depth we have, we never make excuses about injuries.”

Since the team is suffering from injuries, the practice style was altered for the women’s team.

“We usually focus a lot on putting in effort and the quality of the effort,” said Hardie. “But these past two weeks we have been focusing more on the health of the runners.”

Hardie described the situation the team is in as an uncomfortable place for the coaches.

“We don’t feel like our girls are training at a high level right now,” said Hardie. “They are just trying to get back to being healthy again.”

Hardie is not letting the injuries hold the team back for future success.

“The plan is the plan, and the girls that are healthy are still moving forward,” said Hardie.

Hardie and assistant women’s cross country coach Michelle Cross are not sure why the team is battling an uncommon amount of injuries this year.

“Last year coming into this year is the worst injury year we have had,” said Hardie. “But there is no certain reason why the injuries have happened.”

Cross feels that the injury bug might just be poor luck rather than the training, because the training has worked in years prior without these types of issues.

“This style of training we have done before for a regional-caliber team,” said Cross. “Just two years ago no one was injured but this year injuries happened.”

Both Hardie and Cross agree that the team is getting healthier and the weekend off has been beneficial for the team.

With the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship approaching at the end of the month, injured athletes that are returning could play a major role in the future meet.

Senior Teghan Simonton, junior Katherine Thompson and sophomores Megan Studebaker and Becca Volz were mentioned by both coaches that could be big contributors if they all compete at full health.

Thompson is one of those athletes that could play a significant role.

“Katherine was one of the top competitors on the team her freshman year,” said Cross. “She has been slowly making progress, which could put her back to the level she was at freshman year.”

Thompson thought she was just having shin issues from last year, but it turned out to be Compartment Syndrome.

“Compartment Syndrome is a lot of pressure built up in my lower leg muscles,” said Thompson. “I had to go through surgery this summer on both legs to deal with the injury and to relieve the pressure.”

Thompson feels good to finally be back racing.

“I surprised myself with how quickly I bounced back,” said Thompson. “I thought it was going to take a lot longer than it did.”

Thompson gave high praises to her coaches for helping her recover. “They have been really great and patient with me,” said Thompson. “Every day they ask me how I am feeling and if there was a problem, they would modify my workout.”

Through all the problems the team has been facing, Thompson believes the team has gotten closer through the injuries.

“We grew together in talking about how we could help each other through the injuries,” said Thompson. “We ran in little packs the last meet which gave us our confidence back and took our minds off of the injuries.”

The women’s cross country team is hopeful for a healthy team for the PAC championship. The Yellow Jackets will continue their battling season this Saturday in Center Valley for the DeSales Invitational.