As Josh Bainbridge (’24) crossed the finish line in Tallahassee, Fla., he absorbed the moment, reflecting on the years of mountains and valleys throughout his Wildcat cross country career. This, his final collegiate race, would conclude in an eighth-place finish at the NAIA National Championships, and a national title for Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU).
"I was just so grateful to the Lord for keeping me going when I wanted to quit these past few years," Josh said. "To experience this mountaintop event was incredible."
As teammates came careening down the hill hollering in victory, the magnitude of what they'd accomplished began to sink in. The Wildcats had just claimed the program's first-ever national championship, defeating top-ranked opponents with a commanding performance that placed five runners in the top 40.
For Josh, the triumph was especially sweet. The Liberty, N.C., native had endured three stress fractures across three years, injuries that cost him entire seasons and left him questioning whether he was meant to continue running at all.
The Valley
Each injury followed the same devastating pattern. Josh would train hard all summer, arrive at the start of the season ready to compete, have one strong race, then suffer another stress fracture. At least eight weeks without running. Essentially a whole cross country season lost.
"I'd get an injury, go through recovery asking, 'Why me?' the entire time, get to the end and see significant growth in myself and how I impacted the team, praise God for the opportunity to grow, then get injured all over and immediately forget everything, begging God for an answer again," he said.
The cycle repeated itself with painful regularity. Yet each time, Josh found himself drawn back to the starting line. "Especially last year, I just felt so much peace about keeping going, even if I knew that I wasn't going to be able to race," he said.
During one particularly difficult period of questioning, Josh was reading the book of Joshua. A pattern struck him with unexpected force. "You know how we look back at the Israelites and think, why would they forget God's grace every time, even after all these miracles?" he said. "That's literally me. Not six months after my last injury, seeing the growth and opportunity, and there I was questioning God again."
The realization was humbling but also clarifying. God was using everything, even the injuries, for good. "Through every injury, I learned so much patience," Josh said. "Being on the sideline gave me a completely different perspective and so much gratitude for the times I could run. I think if I was healthy all four years, this bonus season wouldn't have happened."
Engineering a Future
Josh's path to IWU was shaped by his desire for a Christian education that didn't sacrifice academic rigor for athletic opportunity. The mechanical engineering program sealed the decision.
His mother would say she always knew engineering was his calling. Growing up, Josh would take apart anything he could find, even dismantling an entire dishwasher at age ten just to understand how it worked.
At IWU, he found not just a quality program but a close-knit community. He praised the hands-on learning opportunities and the qualified professors who fit the institution's mission. That investment paid off when he secured a position at Siemens Energy in Indianapolis as a design engineer making gas turbine engines, thanks to a connection with Professor of Engineering David Che, Ph.D.
Now pursuing his MBA while working full time, Josh drives up to Marion for classes and team practices four times a week. He's traveled to Europe mid-season for work (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) and recently returned from Houston, Texas.
During that European trip, he couldn't resist going for a run in the Alps. "There I was just running up this gorge and I thought, 'What am I doing?' It was just gorgeous," he said, grinning.
Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
IWU Cross Country Coach Brody Beiler talks frequently about "running free," a concept derived from Hebrews 12:1-3 that emphasizes throwing off what hinders and fixing one's eyes on Jesus rather than on times, expectations, or outcomes.
"Basically, free of expectations, free of time goals, and more focused on the preparation we put in and how we executed," Josh explained. "That's what determines our success, not necessarily the result."
The Wildcats entered the national championship without placing pressure on themselves despite having a season that suggested they could win. They simply focused on preparation and execution.
"Josh encompassed joy this year. Every time he toed the line, he threw off fear and anxiety and fixed his eyes ahead,” Beiler said. “He struggled through years of injury, and it was pure joy to see him run with a gratitude that every day is a gift and an opportunity that comes from above."
The Mountain
Crossing the finish line in eighth place with a time of 24:38, Josh thought about it being his last race ever and tried to savor the moment. That thought also motivated him. "'There's no reason to slow down now,' I thought."
After the race, runners from The Master's University, the team IWU competed with the entire race, approached the Wildcats to pray and thank the Lord for their opponents' victory and talents. "They could have easily just walked away disappointed, but instead were the ones to initiate that moment," he said.
For Josh, the national championship represents more than athletic achievement. It's a testament to perseverance, faith, and the belief that God can use everything, even setbacks, for good. And it's a reminder that often the highest mountains come after the lowest valleys.
"God can use everything for good," he said. "And He did."
