Still On Top, 20 Years Later

This fall marks 20 years since the 2006 Grinnell College women’s cross country team cemented their place in school history, finishing in the top 10 at the NCAA Division III National Championship. 

While the team is rightly remembered for their athletic achievements, the former teammates look back fondly on the whole experience of that season — from facing inclement weather to sporting a mythical team mascot and building bonds with one another. 
 

A Special Team, a Special Season 

“This group of student-athletes was an extra special one,” said former women’s cross country head coach Evelyn Freeman. 

Of all the teams she coached over a 40-year career, Freeman said the 2006 squad — Sarah (Spencer) Perry ’08, Sara Brady ’07, Allison Louthan ’08, Katie Ryan ’07, Becky (Besinger) Bobba ’09, Erin Sindewald ’08, and Meredith Groves ’08 — stands out because of the runners’ confidence in themselves and each other. 

That confidence fueled unprecedented success — winning the Midwest Conference and Midwest Regional championships before placing seventh out of 32 teams at nationals. 

Perry, Grinnell’s all-time 6K women’s cross country record-holder, finished third overall at nationals. She said she is proud to have been part of such a historic season. 

“Achieving something, as a group, that had never before been done by any team of any gender at Grinnell College was incredibly special,” Perry said. 
 

Conquering Challenges 

To reach that season’s fantastic finish, the team had to tackle an assortment of challenges, including less-than-ideal race conditions. Their camaraderie, positive attitudes, and willingness to have fun were critical to their success. 

Brady said one such challenge, in the form of a November blizzard, came at the 2006 regional meet in Northfield, Minnesota — the qualifying meet to get to Nationals.  

“They had to plow snow off the course,” she said. “I remember actually feeling okay about that race beforehand. Several of us ran a lot better in the cold.” 

The snow didn’t stop the team from taking the top spot at regionals. But the weather threw another curveball ahead of the big finale in West Chester, Ohio, where heavy rain turned the course into a mud bath. 

“The mud was insane during the race. I remember telling myself over and over that I could do hard things,” Perry said. 

The grit required to perform in such conditions also served the team off the course. 

Freeman said she was proud of her team’s determination as students. Six members of the 2006 teammates earned U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic honors. 

A winning recipe 

The 2006 team’s culture balanced humor, competitive drive, and a caring atmosphere. The runners were able to be themselves, and that was central to their recipe for success. 

“A lot of times, the teams pick their own mascots. That year, we were the ‘Skullcrushers,’ and our shirts were bright pink with a flying unicorn on them,” Sindewald said. 

In a sport focused on individual performance, Brady said the 2006 squad’s closeness and sense of fun were a great fuel for performance. 

“It was always ‘Go out there, have fun, and do your best,’ unequivocally.” Brady said. “I will always remember Erin [Sindewald]’s optimism and joy. We never lost the levity and the fun — we pushed ourselves and leaned on each other in that way.” 

Perry said the teammates held each other up as athletes, and as human beings. 

“I felt free to just race, knowing that my worth was not tied to any particular outcome or result,” Perry said. “That was an incredible gift that I think helped the entire team perform well.” 

Sindewald said that sense of support wasn’t limited to practices and meets.  

“I remember the friendships, the long runs, and training hard. I remember crying over school and other challenges,” she said. “I’m so proud and grateful for being part of that team.” 

The former teammates said Freeman’s positive leadership made that unique culture possible. For her part, Freeman credited the runners for raising each other up to their full potential. 

“Doubt was never part of the conversation,” she said. “They were a close-knit team dedicated to succeeding both in their studies as well as athletic pursuits.”