BLOG 15: Ferris cross country runners have left quite a legacy

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State women’s cross country runner Tina Muir (right) hopes to duplicate her strong performance during the regional meet at the next level in the NCAA Division Women’s Cross Country National Championships in Slippery Rock, Pa. this weekend (Ferris State University Photographic Services)

BIG RAPIDS – As Ferris State University’s women’s cross country team heads to Slippery Rock, Pa. to compete in the 28th annual NCAA Division II National Championships, a legacy already has been established for future teams.

The squad composed of sophomore Tina Muir, who earned all–region honors by finishing fifth (21:56.8); senior Mikinzie Stuart, also an all-region runner, who was 12th overall (22:41.6), sophomore Megan Josey, sophomore Paige Onweller, senior Jackie Green, sophomore Sarah Creed and sophomore Nikki Wiers have already made their mark on Bulldog sports history. The group is an accomplished one. This year’s team has returned the Bulldogs to cross country glory with this trip to the national championships for the first time since 1987.

No one knows how this team will perform when it takes part in the 6K race being held at Cooper’s Lake Campground. Win, lose or draw, these student-athletes will return to Big Rapids already with notable accomplishments to their credit.

So often, sports like cross country are overlooked in favor of some of the more high-profile athletics teams, but these student-athletes work every bit as hard (in athletic competition and inside of the classroom) as their fellow student-athletes in sports that generally garner more attention. Besides, anyone who has been standing by the finish line, at the end of a cross country race, knows just how much it takes in the way of guts to start and finish one of those 5K or 6K competitions.

Hopefully people will think about that when they talk about “minor” and “major” sports.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com