more like a A team considered ··~ ....- r•-\· The cross-country team was a group with a goal of more than just crossing the finish line. From practices to service projects, the team made an effort to give back to others in the community. "[The team] is without a doubt very close," junior Ryan Johnson said. "There is so much diversity on the team, and still we are one." The team spent time together outside of practice just hanging out and having fun. They scheduled a retreat at Camp Tahkodah specifically so that everyone had a chance to get to know one another and discuss some of the goals for the season. "We ended up having a great time," senior Laura Lovett said. "We went on morning runs, we swam a lot and we played a lot of team-building games. My favorite activity was when we were put in pairs, an upperclassman with a freshman, blindfolded and led up the huge bluff. It was scary but a lot of fun." Bonded and ready for the beginning of a new season, the team returned from Tahkodah with a new perspective on the upcoming school year and a renewed determination in their training. According to freshman David Ramsey, despite the rigorous expectations, a typical cross-country practice could have a very relaxed atmosphere. "Workouts are tough, but the team is encouraging," Ramsey said. "We get the best out of each other. I'd like the community to know that we work hard, work together and uu ............. work for God's glory." Johnson agreed aboutthe importance of the team's supporters. "Whether the Harding community just talks to us about how our season is going, or if they get to come out to our home meet, it is always such a neat experience to see the support," Johnson said. This year, the cross-country team was definitely on its way to gaining more attention from fellow students and the community. The group hosted a race in order to raise money for the family of Lori Newby, who passed away in her battle with breast cancer in 2010. Lovett and Coach Steve Guymon collaborated on ideas for the race and designed the t-shirts, which ended up being a huge success. "When the t-shirts were printed, everyone asked where they could buy one even though we didn't expect to sell shirts at all," Lovett said. "We ended up selling over 500 shirts! We raised over $4,000 for the Newby [family]. It was one of the best experiences of my life." With so many successes on and off the field, it was apparent that the cross-country team was a group of dedicated individuals who loved their sport, each other and serving those in need. With this unique mixture of talent, there seemed to be no limit to how great of an impact they would have on the study body and community in the future. Corrie Martin The women'steam starts their race with a team prayer on Oct. 23. The women tied with Arkansas Tech at the home meet, called the Bison Stampede, with 29 points. Noah Darnell Junior Daniel 1\irwa leads the pack after the first stretch of the Bison Stampede on Oct. 23. Kirwa won the individual first place title with a time of 14:51:35 seconds. Noah Darnell On Oct. 23, freshmen Woody Seagren and Taylor Lively, junior Ryan johnson and freshman Andrew Evans wear their breast cancer awareness shirts. The men finished with a perfect score of 15 points. Noah Darnell cross-country 2 8 7 ~
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