Three weeks of rest can do wonders for any athletic squad, especially the NIU women’s cross country team as it will compete in its final meet before the MAC Championship.

“I think it helped,” said assistant coach Mark McConeghey. “I think the time to train and let the girls get rested up helped us some, and it was a pretty good couple weeks.”

The needed rest was perfect timing as McConeghey put the team through a roller coaster-type workout, giving them rest while also pushing them in practice to rise to the occasion.

Aside from sophomore Patty Bautista and freshman Kayla Stipp, all other Huskie runners will participate in the Tom Neubauer Invite this Saturday in West Salem, Wis.

Various colleges will also be competing in the event, although McConeghey expects no other MAC schools to compete.

Freshman Courtney Oldenburg and sophomore Nancy Nieto have been the most consistent runners on the team.

It will be a homecoming for Oldenburg, a West Salem native, as she looks to make it five straight events leading the NIU pack.

With the championship approaching in less than three weeks, McConeghey expects strong performances from two of his upperclassmen both this weekend and in the big event.

“Sunsea (Shaw) always runs better at the MAC Championships,” he said. “She always has and I think Breanna (Brevitt) will also.”

This will be the first time NIU has run in the Tom Neubauer invite.

“There will be some good competition there,” McConeghey said. “It’s a big meet.”

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