The Bellarmine University Cross Country Team recently provided a community service as they literally cleared the way for several collegiate cross country events at a state park in Louisville, Ky. 

During the past year, the Louisville area has suffered significant damage due to wind storms, ice storms and flash flooding. As a result, a popular cross country course at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park had numerous tree limbs and debris obstructing the path, leaving the course unusable.

Because resources were limited due to budget considerations, meet director David Lawhorn reached out to local cross country teams to help out with the cleanup, and Bellarmine University's men's cross country team answered the call for help. They provided volunteer labor and worked with crews from the park to remove the obstructions and get the course ready again. 

Later this semester, the course will host the Greater Louisville Invitational, the Great Lakes Valley Conference Men's and Women's Championships, and the NCAA Division I Southeast Regional. The Invitational--which will attracts approximately 60 schools, including a number of highly ranked teams from all NCAA and NAIA divisions—will be the first of the meets and is scheduled for Oct. 3.