The Aurora University men's and women's cross country teams took time out of their early season training
schedule to spend time helping those less fortunate. On Tuesday, August 21, members of both teams combined efforts to pack meals at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora.
"It is fun to serve,” said Head Cross Country Coach
Ryan Chapman. “I've been blessed with a large cross country team that cares about the global community. Taking a step back from athletic goals, now and then, and focusing on bigger issues is a necessary part of team development."
Chapman led his teams in the community service event that was spent as a team building experience in addition to helping those in need.
"I thought it was a great team bonding experience and I felt good giving back to kids that really needed help," said junior
Pete Jaros.
“It was a great experience, and brought our team closer together by helping the less fortunate,” added junior women's runner
C.J. Houlis.
The visit was the second consecutive season the cross country teams
have performed community service at Feed My Starving Children. The Spartans begin the 2012 season on Friday, August 31 when they compete in the Elmhurst College Early Bird Invitational at 5 p.m. and are in action at home on Friday, September 7 when they host the AU Spartan Classic. Meet time for the AU Spartan Classic is set for 5 p.m. at Oakhurst Forest Preserve in Aurora, Ill.
