STORM LAKE, Iowa (Nov. 1, 2024) - The Buena Vista University cross country teams are set to embark on Seminole Valley Cross Country Course in Cedar Rapids on Saturday morning to compete in the 2024 American Rivers Conference Cross Country Championships.

The women’s 6,000-meter race will begin the day at 11:00 a.m., followed by the men’s 8,000-meter race. The top-20 individual finishers in both races will earn themselves all-conference accolades.

On the women's side, nine of the 20 all-conference finishers from last season are among this year's field, including two from defending champion Wartburg College.

For the Beavers, sophomore Megan Bakke has led the team all season long with a pair of top-25 individual finishes, including one of those in which she landed in the top-10. She enters the championships with her fastest 6k time of 23:24.8 coming back on Oct. 5.

Kyle Miller and Kaden Sadler have been the top-two finishers on the men's side all season long. Miller takes the course on Saturday with back-to-back top-25 individual finishes of his own, including a 13th place performance at the Platte River Rumble two weeks ago. HIs fastest all-time 8k clocking came at that same race two years ago.

Just like on the women's side, there will also be nine returning all-conference individuals in this year's field. Six of those nine come from defending champion Wartburg College.

As a team, BVU will be positioned to start both races in the fourth box assignment.

New to the championships this year will be the Rookie of the Year for each race. That individual will be be the top individual true freshman of each race, using their first season of cross country eligibility.

The awards ceremony will take place approximately 1 p.m. following the conclusion of the men's race. The ceremony will take place near the finish line at the pavilion. The following awards will be awarded after the races for both men and women.

CHAMPIONSHIP WEBPAGE