In the last few years, Aquinas’ cross country season doesn’t really start until championships.

Again this year, the program will be making the trip to the NAIA National Championship meet which will take place Saturday in Kenosha, Wis.

The men have continuously dominated the region finishing first or second in every meet. In the final NAIA poll, they were ranked second behind Malone College out of Ohio. Following just behind Aquinas was league rival Cornerstone.

Anchoring the Region VIII tournament win on Nov. 3 were All- Conference seniors Chris Robertz (25:05.29) and 2006 All-American Scott Assenmacher (25:13.83) who finished third and fourth. The WHAC individual champion from Cornerstone, Derek Scott finished first overall (24:35.56).

On Saturday, the men will try to better their two previous nationals appearances. Both performances left the team short of their expectation of winning a national title. This season, the expectation is no different.

Again this year, the women’s team earned an at-large big to the national meet. Their success has undoubtedly hinged on the success of junior Amanda Strouse.

She finished first in the regional meet and was named the WHAC individual champion and an All-Conference player.

Sophomore Trisha Sarki, although isn’t running in the upcoming event, is going with the team to show her support. “We always go. Everyone comes there to show their support,” said Sarki. “We have a tight-nipped team.”

However, the trip to nationals is, after all, a team effort and the strong performances of Strouse’s other teammates has been integral to their success.

Fellow senior Jesse Lord-Wilder has also put in strong performances this year.

Also contributing are two underclassmen, freshman Katy Cramer and Kelsey Webb.

The course will be a difficult one to accomplish though. “The first mile is completely uphill, the second mile downhill and the third is pretty hilly,” said Sarki.

“It’s a pretty hard course, at least harder than the last nationals. We have an advantage though because we are from the north and are used to the cold weather.”