The 2017 Women's Cross Country season was a season marked by the Unity of the team. God brought together a group of 12 young ladies and 2 coaches that truly cared for each other. With bringing back only 3 previous Lady Archers this was to be a year of rebuilding. Returning after 3 years off from the team Patricia Harrison lead the way with 3 first place finishes in her first 3 races and capped off the season with coming in first at the National Championship. The Lady Archers also returned two great freshmen runners from 2016 Mara Johnson and Emi Minnich both these ladies not only had great seasons and were National All-Americans they both were team captains that lead by godly examples. 

The rebuilding started by attaining 6 ladies runners that were already attending MBI; Juniors, Maddy Boyle and Katelyn Shedd and Sophmores, Toria Allem, Lili Cousineau, Mystique Kalat and Nina Schmidt. To help strengthen the team we were blessed by getting in 3 great freshmen runners with Jessica Comstock, Jules Escobedo and Mollie Hansen. The team was also lead by our Assistant Coach Katie Lounsbury who was a 3 time Individual National Champion in the NCCAA, Divison 2. 

As the year went along not only was each lady improving in running but they were growing closer as a team. Everyone was encouraging everyone in running, school, ministry and their walk with God. We finished off the season with heading to Jackson, MS for the National Championship. On a beautiful, sunny morning the Lord blessed our team with a National Championship along with having 3 National All- Americans! 

I am excited for the 2018 team and look forward to seeing who will fill the big holes left by two of our all-Americans Patricia Harrison and Mara Johnson. – Coach Troy Fichter