The Belles will run one of their most important races of the season at the MIAA Jamboree in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Saturday.
The MIAA Jamboree counts toward one-third of the final conference standings. Last season, the Belles placed fourth at the Jamboree, which contributed to their third-place conference finish. The Jamboree will play a major role in determining whether the Belles can match or improve on that rank this season.
“I think it's going to be a really exciting day,” Belles coach Jackie Bauters said of the Jamboree. “I expect to see great races from the team. They have looked really strong in our workouts, and I feel they are ready to race.”
The Belles enter the race after an 11th place finish at the Calvin Knight Invitational on Sept. 13. Sophomore Brittany Beeler led the way for the team at the Calvin Invite, finishing 40th overall, and Saint Mary’s will look for her pave the way again this weekend at the Jamboree. In addition to Beeler, Bauters said she hopes the other Belles will be able to close in and get faster times to compete with the opponents in Kalamazoo, she said.
“We are really looking to bring our four-through-seven runners closer together and closer to our two and three,” Bauters said. “We will be very competitive with Alma this weekend and are looking to get our pack in well before theirs. We are also hoping to split their one or two with our first runner.”
Bauters said the importance of the meet will only make the Saint Mary’s runners more excited to compete.
“It's all about every place counting this week,” Bauters said. “Racing smart and everyone contributing to the team's success. The workouts are all geared for this time of the season, and we are just trying to make sure we are feeling fresh for Saturday.”
The starting gun will fire at the MIAA Jamboree in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
