MEET INFO

LEWISTON, Idaho – The regular season comes to a close on Saturday at the Inland Empire Championships.  The women's 5k will get started at 10 a.m., and the men's 8k will get underway at 10:45 a.m.
 
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The best step up in the biggest moments.  With the 2019 Big Sky Cross Country Championships just around the corner, senior Kara Story is ready to step up.  Again.
 
"Those more intense meets, like our conference championship, I get really excited for," said Story.  "I think a little bit of pressure really helps me to do better.  Last year I had such a great race at conference because I really trusted my fitness.  I didn't hesitate.  I felt like I could do it and I just went for it and it really paid off."
 
Story has finished in the top-11 at the Championships in each of her three years competing.  Last season, she placed third overall.  In 2016 she earned Freshman of the Year after taking ninth.
 
Story's postseason expectations for herself may not be as high as usual this season, while she continues to recover from injury, but the team goals are as big as ever.  Story will compete in the Inland Empire Championships this weekend, marking just her second competitive race of the season.
 
"For myself, this season has been a little bit rocky with the injury and just getting back into things.  This is only my second meet back.  I think my goal for conference will really be to focus on my team and help out as much as I can and just run to my fitness level and do the best I can that day.
 
"For our team, I'm really excited to see how it goes.  We have some really talented young people on the team right now that have really shown an impact this year.  Overall the team has just been looking so strong."
 
The Vandals have been led by a mix of student-athletes this year, from freshmen to seniors.  That irregularity helps make the Vandals dangerous.
 
"It's amazing.  It shows the depth we have on our team.  We have so much talent, just across the board.  It's so amazing just to know that when you're getting on the start line that anything can happen.  Whenever your teammates have a great race it's so inspiring."
 
That inspiration goes both ways.  Having your senior leader back this late in the season will surely pay dividends come November.
 
"We all help each other, no matter what place we come in.  I'm just going to do the best I can, while encouraging my teammates along the way."
 
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