Listen Here
By Mackala Krichbaum
The cross-country teams have started hot in the competition. Head Coach Eric Wymer gives an inside look at the continued success of the team.
While the teams focus on running and their time while doing so these athletes are students first. The teams took their academics to heart as they set the bar high.
“Last year, both our men and women had the highest GPAs in Division II men’s and women’s cross country,” Wymer said. “I think just being the best version of us, but you know, they put so much pressure on themselves as students and high achieving individuals, both in the classroom and running wise.”
The goal for the cross-country teams comes in late October and early November in the postseason.
“So, a big goal of the program this year is to make the National meet,” Wymer said. “You make the National meet by beating teams from other regions throughout the year.”
Transitioning into this fall season the cross-country teams worked on getting the freshmen integrated and keeping a positive mindset
“We put a big emphasis on volume this summer with a lot of our returners as far as how many miles they’re running, but really just being more positive and more intentional with our training and with just our overall outlook on everything,” Wymer said. “I think the big thing we must look at is kind of the way we talk to ourselves and the way we talk to our teammates. I think in the past, sometimes we get down on ourselves that things aren’t going well, but really working on, you know, being more positive, being more encouraging to each other.”
In the summer months, the Cross-Country teams utilize a summer workout program. Both athletes from the Men’s and Women’s teams trained together even though it was not a requirement.
The teams have various things that they are striving for such as removing the pressure of academics and performance.
“I just want to be the best version of us,” Wymer said.
One of the goals of the teams is to make it to the National Championship which for the men would be the first time this has happened.
“We just got to put our best foot forward. If we can walk up the course and say, ‘Hey, we gave it our all today and I don’t think we can necessarily be upset about the result,’” Wymer said. “We always want to win, but at the end of the day, just having a result or a performance that we’re satisfied with.”
The athletes are motivated by each other and work to push each other to be the best versions of themselves.
“When you do it by yourself, you’re standing on top of this mountain it’s great — but when you’re standing there with other people and you did it together, I think that’s a lot more satisfying,” Wymer said.
Practices consist of a long run and then recovery short runs, as well as two days of lifting. This is slightly different as these athletes are individuals.
Looking at meets the cross-country teams look at course maps to see what the athletes can expect from the course. They also utilize mental preparation for these meets.
Coach Wymer is most proud of his athletes for the choices that they make.
“I’m really impressed and proud of them for how they handle themselves and the choices that they make,” Wymer said.
The discipline that comes out of being a student-athlete is one of the bigger life lessons that comes from being a student-athlete.
The cross-country teams compete next at Lewis Crossover on Oct. 12.
