With the second-to-last month of the semester turning the corner, most of Asbury’s athletics programs are winding down their seasons and competing in tournament play, save for the one or two sports that got a later start than others.
Well ahead of the curve is the Eagle’s cross country squad, who are setting off into the postseason in high-falutin fashion with a blistering finish in the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS).
The men’s group finished third overall and individual in the competition, which took place in Huntsville, Ala., taking home pedestal pride and scoring well within the range of serious recognition on their biggest stage this season thus far.
On the other hand, the women’s team managed to come in first overall in both of the aforementioned categories. For the second year in a row, the Women’s Eagles team are CCS Champions.
Taken together, Asbury’s cross country achievements represent a large leap forward in a sport that is, among others, a relatively new institution. While this strong tally is certainly one to dwell on, the season technically isn’t over for either squad.
On Friday, Nov. 14, the women’s team will compete in the NCCAA National Championship for a chance to take their top-placing talent to the national stage. Until then, the group will be given plenty of time to regroup after their sweep at the conference level for a chance at one final stamp on a great year.
The men’s team, similarly, will compete on Nov. 15 at the NCAA DIll Great Lakes Regional Championship. For either bunch, their league-spanning tournaments serve a once in a season sort of opportunity to build a reputation in the CCS; having just joined the league within the last five years, the Eagles still very much have something to prove, as well as a reputation to build.
All the same, it’s been an excellent year for both the men’s and women’s cross country teams at Asbury. Each have, and are continuing to, shape the state of this youthful program as one of the university’s most consistently proficient.
The CC Eagles are a “buy now” bunch on either side, and as both groups continue to win, they show no signs of slowing down, in either this campaign’s final tournaments or in the years to come.
Photo courtesy of Asbury Smug Mug.
