The OCU cross country teams recently competed in their first meet of the 2020-21 season.
The Stars opened their season in the Oklahoma Baptist University Invitational Jan. 22 at the Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee, Okla.
Both the men’s and women’s teams placed fourth overall in their respective categories.
For the women’s team, Sarah Olamide, criminal justice junior, placed ninth in the women’s 3,200-meter run with a final time of 12:34.87. Katlyn Davenport, economics freshman, placed 20th (13:51.41). Ana Rivera, psychology junior, placed 22nd (14:20.55). Cailen Jolley, finance sophomore, placed 23rd (14:23.21). Madison Altom, biochemistry sophomore, placed 28th (16:34:52). Bailey Sartain, history education junior, placed 29th (16:35.81).
For the men’s team, Anthony Carranza, cell and molecular biology freshman, placed 17th in the men’s 6,400-meter run with a final time of 22:53.79. Joseph Engel, exercise science/human performance junior, placed 28th (24:42.41). Logan Gwinn, exercise science senior, placed 29th (24:42.41). Paul Welch, business administration sophomore, placed 30th (24:53.02). Zander Rossiter, pre-engineering junior, placed 37th (28:26.29).
Matt Aguero, head cross country/track & field coach, said he is proud of the hard work the teams put in after a long hiatus due to the 2020-21 season delay, which presented many challenges and schedule shifts.
“We’re busier in the sense that there’s a lot of extra stuff that we have to do,” Aguero said. “But we’re at the point where we haven’t competed in so long that we just couldn’t wait to get back out there.”
Aguero said he missed the sport just as much as the athletes and looked forward to opening the competition season. He said the competition was the first event OCU athletes had competed at in over 300 days.
Aguero said athletes and faculty were required to follow strict COVID-19 protocols in preparation for the competition.
“Athletic trainers are doing a lot of work in order for us to compete,” Aguero said. “We get tested and do daily screenings as well. We wear our masks when we are not competing, no spectators allowed, and coaches keep their masks on.”
Aguero said he looks forward to what the season has in store for the teams.
“I definitely have high hopes for them,” Aguero said. “We’re really young, but we’re training hard, and we’re ready.”
Olamide, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, said she is proud to be running for the Stars and is excited to race this semester.
“It felt good to be back and be a part of the community again,” Olamide said. “Over the break, I missed competing, and I am so happy to get to do this.”
Olamide said training as a student athlete can result in pain and strain, and she likes to propel herself through those challenges by learning to trust herself and her abilities.
“I just think, ‘I’m good, and I work hard,’ so I know it’s all going to be ok,” Olamide said. “The more burn I feel, the faster I run, and the closer I get to that finish line.”
Olamide said competing with the OCU cross country team has been a special experience that pushes her to be better.
“We’re always there to encourage and support each other, and I really love that,” Olamide said.
The men’s and women’s cross country teams will next compete Mar. 27 at the Sooner Athletic Conference championships.
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