With a d. Past record f lstrict titles th o national trip fou~d thems~lvee men'~ cross countr s and trad1tion s keep111a st 'd . Y team s. o Tl e W1th · Past KEEPING STRIDE T o defend their AIC crown for the 15th consecutive year, the men's cross country team prepared for their upcoming meets being both physically and mentally tough. They spent hours of practice under Coach Ted Lloyd's supervision and under their own dedication. "We ran two times a day, year round, averaging 70 to 100 miles a week. We had to keep running to keep in shape because once your out of shape it is hard to get back in it;' said Eddie Neal. Their dedication payed off for the team as they racked in their awards. The Bisons won the AIC with five out of seven runners placing in the top seven places. Neal lead the Bisons by placing second int he race held in Bald Knob, AR. Neal said, "It was really a great honor to lead the wining team. I wanted to place first but second is second best!" Jon Murray, Rich Lockhart, Darryl Halbert, and Jon Partlow followed placing fourth through seventh respectively. At the national race in Kenosha, WI, the Bisons placed 21st as a team. "It was really exciting to go to antionals because it is always one of our goals for the year. It is also one of our biggest and longest trips so that also adds to the excitement of it;' said Partlow. Halbert lead the Bisons by placing 125th out of 300 runners and made the Academic AllAmerican team. The team defended their AIC crown but received more than that as they went to nationals for the 22nd time. Physical and mental toughness payed off for the Bisons. ~ Prevention. Before practicing, Jon Partlow, a junior from Portland , OR, stretches his muscles. Partlow, who placed seventh in the district meet, stretched before and after running to prevent injuries and sore muscles. - photo by Bill Tripp. "Going to nationals was great but it was disappointing because we did not run well as a team." - Jon Partlow -~:mr.:.-. ' :::s:&-:=:-=-.-:·: ••.-.·:~ I 111111111111111111111 . . ... . .. .. . . . . . Men's Cross Country 67
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