Cross Country prepares for first season since 1985

For the first time since 1985, Chadron State College will have a men’s and women’s cross country team. The team will consist of 13 men athletes and 11 women. The cross country team is a young group, with 8 of the women runners being freshman, as well as 6 freshman male runners. Some of the runners double as track athletes too, on both the men’s and women’s team.

The talent from the track and field athletes will be a huge help for the cross country team as a whole. For the girls, Ashley Reisen, senior of Chadron, and sophomore of Box Elder, S.D., Christina Scheler have competed in track events for the Eagles for a number of seasons. Reisen placed third in the 1500 meter run in the outdoor season opener, and kept improving from there. On the men’s side, there are seven track athletes participating as well. Senior Alex Johnson of Kearney and senior Kelley Troester of Marsland will double with track and cross country for their last year. Also competeing in both are junior Gavan Archibald of St. Ann, Jamaica, Nathan Faulkner, junior of Morrill, Matthew Mathiason, junior of Pierce, Colo., Frederick Culp, sophomore of Mililani, Hawaii, and sophomore Shaun Wicen of Lyons, Colo.

Chadron State will host two events this 2012 season. The season opener time trial will be held in Chadron on August 25. On September 21, Chadron will compete against South Dakota School of Mines on their own turf. Coach Ryan Bailey has high hopes and much excitment for this first season since 1985. “We are a very strong team for a first year program. We do have a lot of competition in the RMAC on both the women’s and men’s side, but we have the talent to overcome,” Bailey said. Last year at the Men’s 2011 NCAA Division II National Cross Country meet five RMAC teams placed in the top twenty. Reigning as champions is Western State, who was followed by Adams State at second place. Colorado Mines placed fifth, Metro State came in ninth, and Univeristy of Colorado-Colorado Springs came in 19th. For the women, Western State came in second overall and Adams won fourth place. “The RMAC is the toughest conference in Division II, but we can can compete at that level,” Bailey said. “We are a young team this year but I am excited about the development and depth that will give us in years to come.” The addition of cross country to Chadron State will also benefit the Track and Field program.

Those runners who participate in both sports will add depth to the team as a whole and make it possible for Chadron State to enter into events that they have not had. Last year, Chadron State had no male competitors in the 3k or 5k events, making it harder to earn more points than other teams.

Chadron did have some women competitors in the 3k and 5k, but none that made it to Nationals. “These cross country runners will give us more points during the track and field season when we can enter in more long distance events,” Bailey said.