Waynesburg University’s cross-country teams have returned from eastern Pennsylvania and are back to working towards the conference as well as regionals.

“We have begun a 14-day taper,” head coach Chris Hardie said. “What that does is lower the volume and length of the training, but the intensity increases.”

The Yellow Jackets’ remaining schedule includes the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Championships on Oct. 31 and the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals on Nov. 14. 

Waynesburg has had several runners set their own personal records this year, but one that continues to stand out is sophomore Erin Belveal.

Hardie relies on runners like Belveal to break into the top half and top 20 placements at the PAC Championships and Regionals.

“I believe what has given me the edge over my competitors has been my mindset and coaching,” Belveal said. “Hardie has really shown me what I can do, and I feel trusting in that has really helped with my confidence”

Belveal led the Yellow Jackets, finishing 48th overall out of 452 runners with a time of 22:45.5 in the past Audrey Shenk Invitational. 

“From Gettysburg, I really took away that I should trust in myself,” Belveal said. “Coach Hardie had me do a hard workout a couple of days prior, and I performed well in it. So, with that mindset, I kept telling myself to really go out hard and push for going out fast and holding a pace I know I can hold.”

On the men’s team, a fresh runner has made his way to the top of the rankings. Junior Ethan Wilson led Waynesburg and placed 218th out of 471 runners with a time of 27:47.9.

“I know I need to consistently sleep more so I’m not getting sick before meets like these, which hurts performance,” Wilson said. “I also need to get more aggressive at parts of the race, and I had a PR, but I believe it is not a reflection of the shape I’m in.”

Hardie and his team are looking for a top half placement in both of the upcoming meets.

“We’re in discussion for the top half on both of our teams,” Hardie said. “I think the ladies can stretch it out even further and push for a top five finish.”

These athletes have pushed themselves to the limits, and it’s important for them not to get burnt out at this stage of the season.

Waynesburg has a lot to look forward to not this year but in the coming years; it will take everyone to grow their strength within the program.

“We must keep rallying, and the energy is better than it has ever been in my time as a Yellow Jacket, which I am absolutely stoked about,” Wilson said. “The guys are getting bought in and excited about training, and we are holding each other accountable more than ever in the last two years.”