X-country hits the ground running

Newly hired cross country Head Coach Nick Cooper has set high expectations for the 2011 team.

Cooper, a previous Division I NCAA runner, graduated from Drake University where he ran for four years, and then earned his law degree in his fifth year while coaching his alma mater.

The highest goal this season "is to do well at GNACs," said Cooper. The Great Northern Athletic Conference meet is in late October. During this meet the Cadets have the opportunity to place in the conference.

"Cross country is different than any other sport," Cooper said. "We don't have to worry about our record, as long as (the team) purposely works through these meets to get in shape for the end of the season (GNACs)."

The men's team was picked third in the conference. "We are hoping to get top two this year," Cooper said. Emmanuel and Emerson are two huge matches the team looks forward to this year.

"Our top guy from last year is a junior, Joe Rosenthal," Cooper said. But three freshmen Cadets have rivaled his time. "For the top 10 (spots on the team), half are freshmen, four are sophomores, and one junior," he said.

The men's cross country team "has a lot of potential," said Cooper.

The women's squad looks to improve from last season.

The top runner for the girls is Mallory Clark. She finished fourth place in the conference last year and was named to the all-conference team.

The Cadets began the season on Sept. 3 at the Keene State College Invitational in New Hampshire. Although the team placed seventh, Cooper described the meet as a chance to test out the team.

"It was a chance to get our feet wet," said Samantha Hass, 19, a sophomore nursing major from Alexandria, Va.

Cooper's positive attitude helps with the Cadets confidence. "He was not focused on winning at Keene State, he is more focused on winning in the upcoming weeks, because he wants to build up to it," said Haas.

"(Cooper) is the coach we need to bring us to that next level," said Jesse Navarro, 19, a sophomore communication major from Martinsburg, W.Va. "Coach has more of a feel for what is going as runners and our injuries"

"Last year a ton of us got injuries," said Haas.

Runners from the squad blamed unorganized workouts like "speed workouts the day before a meet," said Navarro.

Cooper introduced new workouts that are more beneficial.

 "Our (the team's) training schedule is a lot more organized," said Trevor McMinn, a sophomore chemistry major from Madison, Conn. "We pretty much know what to expect at practice."

"Unlike our last coach, Coach Cooper is actually running with us," said McMinn. The Cadets enjoy his company during their daily workouts.

"Coach Cooper, I feel, examines us more," said Navarro, saying that Cooper's experience as a collegiate runner improves his ability to evaluate the team.