cross country 293 continued dominance Athletes on Harding’s cross country team had a reason to hold their heads high at the end of the 2008 season. Both the men’s and women’s teams raced to first-place finishes in the 2008 Gulf South Conference Tournament held in Birmingham, Ala. making it the men’s 8th GSC victory in the last nine years and the women’s 4th consecutive title. While members of the teams could boast impressive personal achievements, such as freshman Daniel Kirwa blowing away competition at the GSC tournament with a record time of 24 minutes, 30 seconds, or junior Esther Komen posting a top time of 18 minutes, 53 seconds at the same tournament, they were most proud of their teammwork. Team captain and senior Julius Kosgei finished his fourth year running on the team, and he believed that this year was one of Harding’s strongest years they had seen yet. “I feel privileged to be a part of the team this year,” Kosgei said. “The team was together, organized and ready every time they were needed.” Also important was head coach Steve Guymon, who finished his seventh year as the men and women’s cross country and track head coach. “Coach Guymon is the best coach I have ever known,” Kosgei said. “He does everything on time and with a purpose. He can bring athletes together with a common thought.” Guymon built a team of dedicated athletes and continued to push them to do their best for as long as he coached. “Coach [Guymon] sacrifices a lot of his time preparing for practice and helping every runner individually,” sophomore runner Rachel Conley said. As of October, the team was ranked third in the NCAA. In the midst of this victorious season, Guymon said he felt honored and humbled to be coaching such talented students. The athletes worked hard during the season to bring success to this team, running between 70 and 100 miles each week. Although thought of as an individual sport, members on the cross country team realized the importance of sticking together as a team. “Cross country is so team-oriented,” junior Katy Grant said. “You’re all out there running the same race, and just knowing that your teammates are working as hard as you are for the team is encouraging.” The 2008 NCAA regional tournament took place on Nov. 8 at the Wyldewood Retreat Center in Searcy. This competition consisted of the men’s 10K run and the women’s 6K run. Both teams qualified for Nationals, with the men coming in first place with a perfect score and the women claiming second place. Kosgei introduced a concept called “Defend the Spear” as inspiration at the regional championship. As the hosting team, they did not want to lose on their home ground. They used this idea of defending what was theirs to motivate them at their home meet. This attitude and hard work showed the team what they could accomplish together. “God has blessed our team so much this year,” Conley said. “We have a great coach and a great group of athletes that are all willing to work hard for each other.” Bethany Loftis Cross country teams rely on youth and experience to capture GSC crowns Freshman Phillip Biwott, senior Julius Kosgei and freshman Daniel Kirwa lead the pack at the Ted Lloyd Bison Stampede on Oct.11. The Bisons won the team event with Kirwa taking first place in the individual race with a time of 23 minutes, 48 seconds. Noah Darnell Sophomore runner Rysper Sirma crosses the finish line at the Ted Lloyd Bison Stampede race on Oct. 11. The competitors ran on the newly designed course at Camp Wyldewood. Noah Darnell
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