 "Photo: Lela Norem ~ Daily Egyptian")
The hourglass for the cross country seniors has dwindled down to its final grains of sand.
With the Missouri Valley Conference Championships on Oct. 31 and the NCAA Regional two weeks later, the seniors are preparing to end their careers at SIU after re-establishing the program as the best in the conference.
“This class really resurrected the winning attitude that SIU cross country had in the 70s and 80s that led us to becoming the winningest program in MVC history with 14 conference titles,” head coach Matt Sparks said. “And they’re looking to get No. 15 this year, which would give them three overall as a class.”
Sparks said the seniors came to SIU under the radar, but their production over the years will leave a lasting impression on the program. The senior class includes Mohamed Mohamed, Jeff Schirmer, Jason Ordway, Jared Milam and Tyler Bradford.
“When we brought this class in, it seemed like your traditional ‘status-quo’ recruiting class,” Sparks said. “In turn, they’re hopefully the cornerstone for years to come of good things — the winning attitude they’ve had for the last four years will hopefully permeate the program and give these underclassmen the confidence to follow in their footsteps.”
Mohamed has been a key contributor in rebuilding the Salukis’ winning reputation as he helped capture the MVC title and earn all-conference honors — all in his freshman year.
Mohamed’s career at SIU has been hampered with injuries, but he said the program still has helped him progress as an athlete and as a man.
“Being a student-athlete has made me a better person overall,” Mohamed said. “This team is made up of a bunch of great guys, and it’s just been a learning experience for me my whole time down here. I’m definitely going to look back on my experience with no regrets.”
Mohamed said he credits his coach for his success and for the way he views himself as a competitor.
“(Sparks) and his great coaching have really helped me believe in myself and what I’m capable of,” Mohamed said. “He proved to me that I didn’t need to be at a big school like Florida or Iowa to compete. He showed me that I can go to a relatively smaller school and still hang with those top guys in the country.”
Mohamed said he has accomplished plenty of his goals at SIU, but he is still looking to finish off his career with a memorable performance at nationals.
The men are not the only ones benefitting from the leadership of a strong senior class as the women head into the MVC Championships behind their veterans, looking for the senior’s first conference title.
The senior class includes Nefeteri Williams, A’Seret Dokubo, Jenny Allen, Kim Beardwood, Kristina Dillow, Hillary Koll and Nikura Walls.
Williams came into SIU as a two-time Illinois All-State cross country performer and a Junior Olympic National Champion.
Williams said being on the team has prepared her for life after running.
“Cross country has really taught me how to prioritize things when I’m extremely busy,” Williams said. “It’s also taught me that sometimes you have to do things you don’t necessarily always want to do.”
With their time running out quickly, Williams said the seniors know the urgency and importance this conference championship meet carries.
“We want this championship bad — we’ve been running all this time and still don’t have a conference title,” Williams said. “If this is the last time we’ll have a go at it, we might as well get it.”
Ray McGillis can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 282.
