Men's and Women's Cross Country

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams were ranked top 25 as they traveled to the meet in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Oct. 26.

In their previous race at the Yellowjackets/Battlin Bears open on Oct. 4, the women placed third after Division I school, University of Montana, and Division II South Dakota School of Mines. This placed them first in the Frontier Conference for the fourth consecutive meet.

The team’s top placers were sophomore Anna Terry, a business major from Chinook, Montana, in 13th, and junior Hannah Sempf, an elementary education major from Columbia Falls, Montana, placing close behind in 14th.

“Before each race, we discuss how we are feeling and our goals for the race, which really helps me stay focused,” says Anna Terry. “It is easy to get anxious about the race, but remembering that we are prepared makes a big difference.”

The men’s team placed second among NAIA Frontier Conference schools behind Rocky Mountain College.

Left to right: Daniel Koralewski, Brycen Gardner, Luke Decker by Karen Parker

Zack Gacnik, a junior from Conifer, Colorado, majoring in computer science, placed 5th, and Connor O’Hara, a senior from Ulm, Montana, majoring in business, placed 11th. They were the top placers for the Saints.

“The cohesion of the team is the best it has been in my entire time I have been at Carroll,” said O’Hara. “We have a great group and a lot of us have been here for numerous years now and spend lots of time together so it is exciting heading into the postseason with a good atmosphere.”

At the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Oct. 26, the men placed 14th overall. Gacnik and O’Hara had astounding finishes, both placing in the top 25 and setting personal records.

“Coach Flynn has put a lot of time and effort into our mental training and it is definitely paying off,” Terry said.

Zack Gacnik by Karen Parker

Additionally, the women placed 13th overall in the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge. Many Women

Saints also achieved personal records.

“I feel confident in our team and the work that we have put in over the summer and fall,” said O’Hara. “We are all pretty fired up to bring some momentum into the Frontier Conference Championship Meet.”

The Saints are preparing for the Frontier Conference Championships on Nov. 6 in Billings, Montana. Both the Men’s and Women’s cross country teams are ranked first for the Frontier Conference.