BLOG 12: Stuart - Bulldogs thrive in challenging conditions

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State cross country runner Mikinzie Stuart competes in the 2008 NCAA Division II Midwest Region Cross Country Championships (FSU Photographic Services)

BIG RAPIDS – “Snow? Are you serious?” was Ferris State University senior Mikinzie Stuart’s first reaction as she got her first look at the weather conditions for the biggest cross country meet of her career.

Well, it takes more than a little snow, rain and cold to derail the hopes and dreams of Stuart and her determined squad cross country teammates. In a challenging 6K race at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Stuart and sophomore teammate Tina Muir earned all-region honors and lifted the Ferris women’s cross country team to a third-place finish in the 2008 NCAA Division II Midwest Region Cross Country Championships and, most importantly of all, into the national championships for just the third time in school history and first time since 1987.

“Our cross country runners are a little crazy. So, when we get opportunities to prove just how hardcore we are, we love it,” said Stuart, who placed fifth in a time of 22:41.6 while Muir finished fifth in the event in 21:56.8. “We had been preparing all year for this and a little bit of snow wasn’t going to damper our race mentality.”

That mentality was critical running a course that was obviously familiar, but with slightly less familiar and challenging issues related to the weather.

“The race itself was challenging because a lot of the course was just slick mud, not to mention it was sub-40-degree weather and snowing,” Stuart said. “A bunch of girls went out really fast, but my teammates and I just stuck to our goal times set by (first-year and interim head coach Steve) Picucci for the first 200, 400, 800 and mile, and then took it from there.”

The pace-it-out strategy worked well for Ferris.

“Obviously, that proved to be a great strategy,” Stuart said. “Both Tina and I placed all region, her in fifth and me in 12th.”

The team’s success, however, was of paramount importance to Stuart.

“When we found out we placed third by a mere two points, we all started cheering and screaming and crying,” she said. “This is such a great way to leave my last year of my cross country career.”

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