Senior runner breaks cross country record

Sam Enlund Sports Editor/ Social Media Manager

Senior cross country runner Drew Upperman broke the overall school record in the 5K during the Southern Stampede on Saturday, Sept. 20.

The original record was set by graduate Dominic Buckman at the same meet with his time of 15:34. Upperman finished the race placing fourth overall with a time of 15:21, beating the original record by 13 seconds.

About his race, Coach Jon Petter said via email, “Missouri Southern (in Joplin) is a super competitive meet and we know the course usually runs really fast, so we prepared with a strong mindset for Drew to go out within touch of the lead pack and move up. He surprised us all when he executed the plan perfectly, but ended up not only getting to the lead pack, but breaking it up and putting himself fourth in the race overall!”

Upperman said, “As soon as the race finished I looked down at my watch, and I saw 15:21, and I was elated. I was so happy.”

Alongside his own excitement, Upperman’s teammates supported him and rooted for him, even from the bus on their way home.

Petter said via email, “The team was ecstatic – everyone at the meet was going crazy — and the JV guys were on a bus home from their meet back in St. Louis area, and I was told by one of our assistant coaches that the bus erupted in cheers and applause when they saw it on the live results webcast! (which is why I love this team so much that they were watching from afar even though they had their own stuff to handle!)”

The support for Upperman did not stop with his teammates on the bus home.

Upperman described the reactions at the meet and said, “My first teammate ran up to me, Atticus (Lack). He sprinted up and jumped on me. Then I started looking for Petter and I finally found him after the race, and I ran over to him and hugged him. Then my family showed up, and they were all really happy.”

This particular record was previously held by Upperman’s former teammate.

Upperman describes what breaking the record means to him and said, “My teammate before me that had it, Dominic. I respect him a lot. He was pretty much my mentor all last year, so to kind of, not take it from him but take it over. It’s really nice to get it.”

Sam Enlund-Social Media/Sports Editor This will be Sam Enlund’s third year on ECHO staff. She also made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year.