It had been four years since a Baker University cross country runner made the trip to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national meet.
That streak was broken when sophomore Arnold Sirorei crossed the Heart of America Athletic Conference meet finish line in seventh place to automatically earn himself a bid to the big show.
Sirorei’s seventh place finish sent him on a plane to Kenosha, Wis., alongside head coach Zach Kindler and assistant coach Andrew McGregor for the 53rd annual national men’s cross country meet Nov. 22. Transfer Sirorei, a native of Kenya from Kansas State University, said he appreciates the opportunity to participate in the national race.
“(The race) was good and a really good experience,” he said. “I was very excited.”
In a pool of 331 total racers, Sirorei finished 184th with a time of 26:47, just three minutes shy of the first place runner who crossed at 23:45. Like several meets throughout the season, the race was an 8K.
“It was a very competitive meet, and I enjoyed the race,” Sirorei said. “I am looking forward to next year and everything else.”
Senior AJ Jimenez said Sirorei’s opportunity to participate in the national meet reflects the team’s hard work throughout the season.
“The fact that Arnold made it was a great accomplishment for our program, and I am excited for the direction the program is heading,” Jimenez said. “On the guy’s team, I think we have so much more to come, and there’s so much potential and a lot more to come in the next couple of years.”
Sophomore Tanner Gleason said the team has more motivation for next season now that Sirorei has set the bar high.
“It’s an inspiration to work a little bit harder and since we have a qualifier, it gives us an incentive to work harder,” he said.
After the national meet took place, Sirorei wasted neither time training nor pondering what is to come in his future. He said he already is looking forward to next fall’s cross-country season with a strong team returning.
Jimenez said Sirorei’s work ethic and competitive nature is a reflection of his successful season this year.
“He’s one of those guys that once it comes down to race day, he’s really focused and the work he does in practice definitely pays off in meets and it shows in his results,” Jimenez said.
Sirorei’s hard work throughout the season not only earned him a spot on the HAAC All-Conference team, but also broke history as he put the Wildcats back in the spotlight by appearing in the national scene in the NAIA meet.
