The Grand View cross country teams wrapped up their fall training camp on August 20th with the Red vs. Black 5k time trial. The men's red team led by senior Nick Newbury edged out the black team by one point (27-28) to secure the victory. Freshman Chris Nealy competing for the black team was the individual men's champion, he was followed in by Newbury and teammate Jim Vonnahme. The women's race was won by junior Obsie Birru competing for the red team, but the team title went to the black squad led by the trio of Kara Keller, Sadie Fisher, and Betsy Craig finishing in a tight pack to outpace the red team.
Earlier in the week the Vikings traveled to Springbrook State Park near Guthrie Center, Iowa for a team camping trip spanning three days and two nights. The team endured two-a-day workouts, running the trails and hilly terrain throughout the wooded areas and around the lakefront of the park. Between workouts the Vikings prepared their own meals and had some free time to play sand volleyball and a few games of knockout on the basketball court, along with swimming and relaxation time.
The men's team is picked to finish 2nd in the conference according to the MCC pre-season rankings behind the defending champions from St. Ambrose University. The women's team will look to turn some heads as they enter the season picked to finish 4th in the MCC pre-season rankings. They will be led by junior All-American Obsie Birru, as they try to make a surge to the top of the conference this season. Mount Mercy University was chosen as the favorite to win the women's conference title.
The Vikings open the season on Saturday, September 4th at the Mustang Gallop hosted by Mount Mercy University at Jones Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The women's 4k race begins at 10:15 am followed by the men's 5k race at 11:00 am.
