The Omnibus

Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Corey McElhaney The Southwest Baptist University men's and women's cross country teams rest after a long relay Aug. 14. The teams ran 371 miles over a 24 hour span. This was the first-time team building excercise and fundraiser.

In the history of the Southwest Baptist University cross country programs, there has not been a time when change would not be welcome. The men's and women's teams have annually finished in the cellar of the MIAA and rarely has there been reason to expect anything different from the teams in the future.
However, for the first time, people have to wonder if change was needed from this program that was seemingly headed in the exact right direction.
As it has been well documented, SBU cross country took dramatic steps under the tutelage of former Head Coach Jeff DeLong.
Despite finishing at the bottom of the MIAA again in 2005 (DeLong's first year as head coach), there seemed to be a glimmer of hope as the teams were filled will potential. That potential started to show itself last year as the men's and women's teams jumped up to earn national recognition and finish second in the conference.
Perhaps most telling about the 180 degree turn in the attitude of the program was that the end of last year's season was seen as a disappointment by many. A year in which many firsts had been accomplished was not a complete success because many people on the team and around the athletic program had hopes of the cross country teams qualifying for the national meet in Orlando, Fla. Unfortunately, the Bearcats looked drained after their late-season performances and were unable to put forth their best effort in an attempt to qualify for nationals.
The fact that Bearcats had put together such a breakout season was overshadowed by their inability to qualify for nationals at the end of last year. Still, great things had been accomplished in 2006, and the future looked bright.
However, after last year's cross country season, everything went awry.
DeLong resigned and there was a lengthy coaching search that led well into the spring. In addition to losing the coach who had recruited the entire men's and women's teams (sans a few upperclassmen), each team also lost its number one runner.

Continued...

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