The Omnibus

Issue date: 5/13/04 Section: Sports

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After a serious wreck and unexpected illness and injuries changed the course of the Southwest Baptist University track season, the semester ended with the MIAA championships last weekend. Though only a few members of the team competed in the meet, SBU left with two conference championships.

For the women senior Jackie Hodson captured the conference title in the 10,000-meter race. Her time was around a minute slower than her personal record, but she took first when the adverse conditions affected all the runners.

"It was hot and humid, so everyone ran more slowly," Hodson said.

Freshman Amy Broadhurst's goal was to reach the finals of the 800-meter race, and she accomplished her mission, finishing seventh. Also competing for SBU, senior Sara Tedford had mixed feelings about running in the final race of her college career.

"It was bittersweet," Tedford said. "It was my last collegiate race, but I'm looking forward to graduation and future opportunities."

For the men sophomore T. Jay Sanderson came back from a season spent battling pleurisy to win the conference championships in the men's 1,500-meter race.

"This is the first time SBU has had two conference champions in one meet," head coach Mark Misch said. "I'm proud of the race execution; they followed their race plans."

Seeing many other MIAA coaches for the first time since the wreck on April 16 was an emotional time.

"There was so much sympathy," Misch said. "It's really every coach's nightmare."

Though most of the team did not compete, many team members came to the meet to cheer on their teammates.

"It was good to be back at it," Misch said. "There were a lot of positives to wrap things up."

The teams are already looking forward to cross country season and the home meet they are hosting Sept. 3.