Runners get wins, support
Photos&Videos
ISSUE: 11/08/07 > Sports > Runners get wins, support
Being a student athlete at Belmont University always consists of working hard on and off the court or field, but one thing that always gives athletes a burst of energy is their fans.
During the men’s and women’s cross country meet on Oct. 27 at the Vaughn's Creek Cross Country Course, Belmont’s school spirit came running as well.
Every one of the Belmont Bruins’ sports teams were there cheering and supporting their fellow Bruins, along with many other students, friends, and family.
“I am a fan of all Belmont sports, but sometimes I tend to be a fanatic, and I like giving the best support I can,” said Whitney Seal, of the women’s basketball team.
Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams dominated, winning the Atlantic Sun Championship and many other awards.
Belmont’s men cross country team has now won a record six consecutive A-Sun conference championships and the women have also won their sixth in seven years.
Junior Kipkosgei Magut won the men’s individual Runner of the Year award with a time of 25:10 in the 8K run. Magut became the first runner to win consecutive A-Sun championships since former Bruin William Kemey in ‘01-’02.
Senior Lauren Weaver won the women’s individual Runner of the Year award by posting an amazing time of 17:51.
“Seeing, knowing, and hearing all the support from our fans, was one of the greatest feelings,” Magut said. “Being a student athlete at Belmont is great and the more support we receive, I believe the better we all perform.”
The Belmont Bruins’ pride was by far the loudest, the largest, and the most spirited as the fans out-shouted supporters of 11 competing teams.
“Being there to support our Bruins is a good thing because I know when I play I love it when our fans are loud it just makes playing our game fun,” said Shane Dansby, of the Belmont men’s basketball team.
But it wasn’t just athletes supporting each other.
President Bob Fisher’s recent announcement that he would give an annual spirit award brought scores of other supporters out. Some arrived in costumes and all came with colossal spirit, to shout both for the cross country teams and against their rivals for the spirit award.
Teams vying for the award included Alpha Tau Omega, Phi Mu, Belmont Softball, Belmont Track and Field, Athletic Department student workers, Phil Delta Theta pledge class, Hail Hall and Belmont baseball.
Fisher has chosen the winner, which he’ll announce Nov. 26 at halftime of the Belmont men’s game against MTSU.
