Saint Mary's enjoyed immense success during the 2010 season, finishing in the MIAA top-five for the fifth straight season. Members of the team set 39 different personal records, and sophomore Julia Kenney became the fifth runner in program history to be named to the all-MIAA team and the youngest member of the program to earn all-region honors.
Proud of her team's accomplishments, Belles coach Jackie Bauters said her players were not limited to success on the course.
"Going into the 2010 season the team had one major goal — to finish third in the conference," Bauters said. "Outside of athletic performances, they also wanted to maintain the highest team GPA on campus. This year they were able to achieve both of those goals."
Breaking into the conference top three was a first for the Belles in program history. The team also reached its academic goals with flying colors — as a team, the runners boasted an impressive 3.76 grade-point average for the fall semester, a feat Bauters was particularly proud of.
"Academically, the team has continued to amaze me," she said. "I am so proud of them. To see them obtain such success [academically and athletically] this season is truly what Division III athletics is all about."
Unfortunately, we are graduating a large, talented senior class. We will miss them and all the gifts they have brought to our program for the past four years. It will be challenging to fill their shoes overnight, but hopefully the mindset is in place and our returners can pass on their experience to our incoming class."
