On Saturday both the St. Ambrose men's and women's teams raced at the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic in Omaha, Neb. The women raced a 6k while the men continued their season with another 8k.

The temperatures for this meet compared to the rest of the competitions this season averaged 20-25 degrees cooler. The course aided in personal records (PRs) and a great day for the women's team. 

On the women's side, the number one runner for the Bees - Kaitlyn Knoche - placed seventh overall with a time of 22:06.04. Not only did Knoche place in the top 25 in this larger meet, but she proceeded to PR and break her own school record in the 6k.

Allison Hein, second on the team, raced a 23:22 and Lauren Johnson finished third on the team shortly after Hein running over a minute PR of 23:30. Rounding out the top-five finishers included Adeline Smith (23:38) and Alexa Minard (23:43). Other Bees who PR'd included Carlie Woolm with a 50-second PR (24:39), and both Loryn Heil and Eileen Elenteny breaking 29 with a 28:37 and 28:56, respectively. Continuing the PRs, Gaby Gonzalez raced over a three-minute PR of 31:48. Other individuals who raced included Maurina Fahrenkrug (24:09), Alexis Havercamp with a season best (25:40), and Emma Carter (30:32). 

On the men's side, Ross Willerth was the first Bee to finish with a PR and time of 25:50. Second was Chris Miserendino (26:20) and third was Ian Eller (26:34). Will Dowda ran a 27:07, Gavin Stalzer with a 27:49, and Mason Schaack (30:40) raced as well.

Some individuals who PR'd on the men's team included Anthony Conard (29:01); Benett Boatright (29:23); Shyam Devasthali, who had a 33-second PR in an 8k and a five-second PR in the 5k (29:27); and Jack Degner (29:31). 

With this being the last race before the CCAC Championships, everything has been building up to this moment and the Bees are as ready as they will ever be. The next and final race for the season will be at Aspen Ridge Golf Course in Bourbonnais, Ill., as the conference meet is hosted by Olivet Nazarene. May the Bees have the best of luck.