SXU Athletics
On Saturday, Sept. 27, Saint Xavier University launched the last day of Homecoming Week with the Cougar 5K Run/Walk.
With runners racing on a flat and paved course through Evergreen Park, the course began and ended at Saint Xavier University’s campus.
This year would mark the Cougar 5K’s 14th year of being held at Saint Xavier University.
Whether you were racing alone or with a group of friends, the Cougar 5K was a great opportunity for both students from the university and members of the community to get out and show school spirit, or just to race to their heart’s content.
Runners were encouraged all throughout the race by volunteers of the Cougar 5K, support being demonstrated either vocally, with signs, or even by holding out cups of fresh, cold water for the runners if they needed them.
This year, the top three overall male and female finishers of the race were awarded prize money from Mid American Group.
First place finishers were awarded $150, second place finishers were awarded $100, and third place finishers were awarded with $50.
Each of the top three male and female finishers were also awarded with a honorary plaque.
Also, this year the course records for the first male and female finishers were broken.
Zach Dahleen broke the male record with a time of 15:21 (the previous record was held by Ryan Hopper – 15:41 in 2011).
Lauren Delfeld broke the record with a time of 18:52 (the previous record was held by Jackie Ott – 19:54 in 2013).
There were also come post-race festivities for anyone in the community, whether they were racing or just a spectator to this event.
These festivities included a Cougar 5K sponsor fair, a refreshment area with pizza and drinks for race finishers, free sponsor samples, free blood pressure check for participants, activities for children, a giant raffle, music being provided by Saint Xavier’s WXAV, and taking your picture with the SXU Cougar mascot.
The Cougar 5K was also an opportunity for students to obtain hours of volunteer work by assisting with the checking in of the runners or offering the their help in any way they could, for transitions students looking to complete a cocurricular activity for their Transitions course, or for Student Ambassadors getting their points for their program.
When approached with her opinion regarding the importance of the participating in events such as the Cougar 5K, Freshman Admission Counselor Andrea Bernardi says, “Events like these are a great way for students to get involved on campus and show their school spirit. As co-director of the Office of Admission’s Student Ambassador Program, we really encouraged our students to get involved in the Cougar 5k this year, whether it was by running, walking, cheering, volunteering, or playing in the band!”
With so many participants from both the school and community alike, the Cougar 5K Run/Walk was definitely the event to attend for anyone wishing to enter a social setting for exercise and to form bonds with other racers.
Homecoming Weekend came to a close with the Homecoming Football Game, Saint Xavier versus University of St. Francis, in Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field at 1PM, and then students and community members were able to attend Gilhooley’s Fifth Quarter Party following the game.
The Cougar 5K was one of the “I Run Evergreen Park Challenge 2014” races. The Village of Evergreen Park is holds seven 5K races throughout the year.
Anyone who had participated in at least three of these races will receive an exclusive “I Run Evergreen Park Challenge” medal, their own award certificate and $10 Jimmy John’s gift card.
The next and last race on the “I Run Evergreen Park Challenge” is the Brother Rice Freedom Isn’t Free 5K on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014.
For more information regarding the Brother Rice Freedom Isn’t Free 5K or if you are looking to register for this race, please contact contact Shawn Hughes at 708-466-2852 or visit the website, www.freedomisntfree5k.com.
Gisselle Lopez
News Editor
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