LAWRENCE, KS – Spring Arbor University senior, Danae Dracht is just hours from running in her final race and she spent some time reflecting on her year, her career, and what running in this race means to her.

Dracht will compete in the NIAA National Championship at the Rim Rock Farm course in Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday and the four-year letter winner from Hudsonville, MI has grown in confidance throughout her career and into this season as well.

Heading into this season, Dracht owned the 11^th fastest time in Spring Arbor history clocking 18:41.  In her final campaign, Dracht had cracked that time in every race and currently possesses the sixth fastest time of 18:11 which she ran at the Eastern Michigan University Meet this fall. Dracht finished first at the Crossroads League Championships and earned All-American Honors in her most recent race running in the NCCAA National Meet with a top five tome of 18:29.

"I'm racing the last cross country meet of my life on Saturday," said Dracht.  "I've told myself over and over and it still doesn't feel real. There are a lot of metaphors in "running the race," which I have come to fully appreciate and make my own over the years. Saturday is my final "good fight," on the cross country course, my last opportunity to finish well. I know in my heart I will. For Him, the One I strive to run for, I already have."

The women's race will begin at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday with the awards ceremony to follow at 2:30.