1999 Miracle Yearbook

CROtOUNTRY The YellowJacket men's cross country team was ranked as high as 17th Ntlitififti4fin the NA114after finishing fifth in the NCCAA Nationals duringthe 119Aseason. Their climb back to becominga consistent member ofthe NA114 Top25included invitational team WMatRio Grande and Wilmington as well as a runner-up showing in the American Mideast. SeniorperformerBenThompsonclosed out his career as the team's number one runner. He overcame early season inju- ries to lead the Yellow Jackets in the final six meets on the schedule including an overall first-place finish at the Wilmington Invitational. He was also the individual runner-up in the AMC Championship. Thompson saved his best time in the 8,000 meters for the NCCAA Nationals on his homecourse at John Bryan State Park. He finished ninth with a time of 25:07 and again earned a spot on the All-America squad (top 15 finishers). Thompson was also named the Wheeler Award recipient as the NCCAA's outstanding male runner of the year. Joel Peterson joined Thompson as the lone seniors on the team. He ran in the number two position until a mid-season injury pushed him back in the line-up. Peterson had a season-low time of26:06 at Rio Grande where he was first on the team and third overall. Scott Ruhlman was the onlyjunior on the team and saw varsity action in eight meets. He was an NAIA and NCCAA All-America Scholar-Athlete, and also garnered academic recognition from the AMC. Sophomores Ken Loescher, Eddie Nehus, and Steven Wakefield played a significant role on the success of the team. They were the only three runners to see action in all ten varsity meets. Wakefield achieved All-AMC honors upon placing seventh in the league meet. Newcomer Jody Fox participated in nine meets and placed among the team's top three finishers six times. He had a season-besteffortof26:14in Cedarville's ownFriendship Invitationalin leading the Yellow Jackets by placing seventh indi- vidually. StiaraYk4omark Huck W S' Crosy Country:(frontl-r)Ken Lae-feller,.ftzven, Wakefield Sen,Thompson', Justzn,gerber,and Eddie,Istelv.a.(back)He CoackE1 King,Jody Fox,Joet Petzrsok,Ed Lads;Scott Deur,Pla.aije,, RiaMeutager Dm,Foster. ATHLETICS S tottItailotakconcentrafr4 heavily on, perftrnuutc& MisHutt.