Cross Country Gears Up For MAC Championships

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The CMU cross country teams will face their most critical test of the year on Saturday when they compete in the Mid-American Conference Championships, hosted by Northern Illinois, in Dekalb, Ill.

The men are scheduled to run at noon while the women will run at 1 p.m.

Course Familiarity
The Chippewas got an early season look at Saturday's championship course by attending the NIU Huskie Challenge in September.

CMU coach Jenny Swieton said that having run on the course will benefit the Chippewas on Saturday.

"I think just knowing what to expect," said Swieton on how the early season look will benefit her runners. "Especially on the women's side. … I think at least the fact that they can picture where we're going to be might help them feel a little bit more prepared for the situation."

Swieton said this is especially important due to the lack of championship experience on the women's side.

"Only three women that are going to MAC have ever been to a MAC meet before," Swieton said. "On the men's side we have five people that have been to a MAC meet."

Men
After an underwhelming showing (sixth place team finish) in last year's MAC Championship, the men will look for redemption this weekend.

"They did not have the performance they were hoping for last year," Swieton said. "For them it's more going in and proving that they're a better team than what last year showed."

If intensity of preparation is any indication, the Chippewas are poised to improve.

"They've been working out insanely," Swieton said. "Their workouts last week were super good. They look really strong, I think they're really confident and ready to go."

Women
For a young Chippewa women's team, the objective is to gain experience and comfort in a championship environment.

"On the women's side, it's more just feeling comfortable with being at the meet and being able to handle the nerves," Swieton said. "Just making sure they're confident in their ability and that they know they belong there."

The women will run nine but will be without some key players including standout freshman Emily Shelton and senior Natalie Beaulieu. Even so, Swieton is excited to see how her young runners step up.

"We're missing some key people," she said. "That hurts initially, but I know the women that are going are ready to step up and have a really good meet. They're prepared to get their chance to show what they've been working so hard for."

Coach Swieton
"We just treat it like any other meet. Every time we go to race, there's something to gain from that experience. I want them to be able to go into the MAC meet and feel the same way. If we treat it differently, then you're more likely to get those unnecessary nerves or doubts that don't belong there. I think they're confident and happy and ready to run hard."

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Natalie Beaulieu

Emily Shelton