SSU XC programs to compete at Aquinas (Mich.)'s NAIA Great Lakes Challenge in final tune-up prior to postseason; SSU swimming to host tri-meet against Midway, WV Tech

The cross country programs at Shawnee State have never been shy about challenging themselves against the best of the best that collegiate running has to offer.

 

Their final regular season tune-up is no different.

 

In what has become a yearly staple and stop on the schedule for both Shawnee State cross country programs, the men's and women's cross country squads at SSU will race in the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge Saturday at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich. -- with the men's cross country program competing in the Men's Maroon Division race at 10 a.m. Saturday morning and the women's cross country program running in the Women's White Division race at 12:45 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

 

For Shawnee State Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Conner Flynn, the meet simply provides another opportunity for both programs to showcase the work that each program has put in during the regular season.

 

"The men's team has been running well, but is still looking for that meet we know that we are capable of," Flynn said. "We are in a good spot and ready for this weekend. The women's team has had great progression which is a product of their focus and hard work on a daily basis."

 

 

Both programs will certainly be up against stout competition once again at the meet. That's evidenced in both races that Shawnee State is competing in -- as in the Men's Maroon Division Race alone, 16 teams that are ranked or receiving votes will be competing in the 10 a.m. race, including No. 6 Spring Arbor (Mich.), No. 7 Indiana Wesleyan, No. 8 Taylor (Ind.), No. 14 Rio Grande, No. 17 Aquinas, No. 19 St. Francis (Ill.), No. 20 Shawnee State, No. 21 Grace (Ind.), No. 23 Campbellsville (Ky.), No. 24 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), No. 25 Carroll (Mont.). Cornerstone (Mich.), Goshen (Ind.), Indiana-East, Marian (Ind.) and Rocky Mountain (Mont.) are all receiving votes in the NAIA Cross Country Coaches Rating.

 

Shawnee State moved up four positions from the second cross country rating to the third -- the second-largest jump of any NAIA team in the country -- by going from No. 24 in the NAIA Cross Country Rating to No. 20. However, Flynn says that the men's cross country program's potential ceiling remains higher than its present No. 20 output.

 

"We are happy to move up in the rankings," Flynn said. "However, we know we are capable of more. The men are confident in where we are at and our ability to put together our best stretch of races as the season closes."

 

While not ranked presently, the Shawnee State women's cross country program continues to build toward potentially accomplishing that feat. Racing in the Women's White Division, the Bears will have plenty to race for with five additional River States Conference programs (Rio Grande, Indiana-Columbus, Indiana-Kokomo, Oakland City and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods) all racing in the same division as well as former Mid-South Conference foes Georgetown and Lindsey Wilson.

 

"The women's progression has been great to see this year," Flynn said. "The growth that they have shown is not surprising based on their work, encouragement, and support that they give each other. They are a united group and it's special to see."

 

Heading into the final meet of the regular season, Flynn is certainly thrilled with what he has seen overall. 

 

"The course is flat, fast, and feels like cross country," Flynn said. "I expect the men to put forth an effort that shows that they can compete with anybody they line up against. This is a great field and we are looking forward to it. As for the women, I expect them to be in contention to win the white race. We know that we can do so and are excited for the challenge. These past few weeks of training have been extremely beneficial for both sides. Both the men and the women look like a different team than the last meet we ran at Louisville."

 

 

In addition to the Shawnee State cross country programs, the Shawnee State men's and women's swimming programs will each be in action against Midway (Ky.) and West Virginia Tech in its first home meet of the season Saturday afternoon at Warsaw Aquatic Center in Portsmouth.

 

Abigail Bosler, who holds NAIA provisional standard times in the 50 yard freestyle (25.46), 100 yard breaststroke (1:09.47), and 200 yard breaststroke (2:33.36), heads up the charge. 

 

In all, Shawnee State has a total of 25 swimmers -- 14 men and 11 women -- that are on the swimming rosters for the 2024-25 season.

 

Full swimming schedules are located at https://www.ssubears.com/sports/mswimdive/2024-25/schedule and https://www.ssubears.com/sports/wswimdive/2024-25/schedule.