Just four races over the span of five weeks is what the Wayne State College women's and men's cross country program will utilize in preparation for the NSIC and Central Region races in late October and early November.
Head coach Marlon Brink will be starting his 26th year leading Wildcat cross country.
Each runner was sent a summer training program with different levels based on how many miles they ran in a previous season until they first reported on August 13.
"Seemed like most of them must have followed their plans pretty well," said coach Brink. "We had our time trials which is a 15-minute run around the track to see what kind of shape they're in. They all recorded pretty good performances."
Sophomore Kaitlyn Bloomenrader was tabbed the Wildcat female athlete to watch by the NSIC for WSC and sophomore Ethan Walters was also selected as the top male athlete to watch.
Bloomenrader worked on plenty of distance over the summer with her dad living on a farm in South Dakota.
From 40 - 50 miles a week is what she has been aiming for during practice.
Bloomenrader said making the top half of the conference for the WSC women is a goal they're looking to achieve.
"We've come in with an energy that is a lot different than last year," said Bloomenrader. "I expect a lot of our girls to have some PRs coming up."
Walters wasn't able to run as much as he should of with his summer job but used the summer to recover his body following three straight seasons of cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field.
Walters does mid-distance for track and is running roughly 55-60 miles a week.
Running as a pack will be key for the Wildcat men.
"Really we have a good pack of guys coming in," said Walters. "Last year at conference I want to say we came in 10th and this year I think we could be in the top six. I think three maybe four of us could make second team all-conference which is a big goal."
WSC joined 319 female and 394 male runners during the Augustana Twilight from Sioux Falls, SD on September 5.
The Wayne State women finished 16th (428 pts) in the team standings and were led by Allie Czapla (50th -18:53.29).
Bloomenrader was the next WSC finisher in 109th (19:41.63).
"Augustana just has an energy to it," Bloomenrader added. "It's just the people there they all push you. It's one of the only 5ks we get to do."
The Wildcat men finished 11th (340 pts) and had four runners within eight seconds of each other being led by Brady Franzen (92nd - 20:24.95) Brody Lucas followed in 94th (20:27.97), Lucas Frazier took 100th (20:31.82) and William Keller in 101st (20:32.37).
Walters took 173rd (21:13.27).
"Augustana was definitely one of my highlights last year," said Walters. "It's pitch black out and people are turning around you and you're just going. You don't know which way people are going to turn. It's only a four mile race and all of our races are 8ks."
Cross country runners will then prepare for 6,000-meters for the women and 8,000-meters for the men in future races.
The Wildcat Classic will take over the Wayne Country Club on Friday, September 26 at 4/4:45 p.m. WSC will also host the NSIC Championships set for Friday, October 24 at noon and 1:15 p.m.
Walters said the team practices on the hardest parts of the course.
"When we do hill days, we do the exact same hills we're going to race at conference," said Walters. "We run this course twice a week and we know when to push and when to make our moves."
Both shared a message to the underclassmen.
"Just have fun with it," said Bloomendrader. "Once you start making the sport into something that you have to do it's not fun any more and you start getting in your head. It starts making competing a lot harder to do. When you just go and have fun with it I feel like people tend to do a lot better."
"We're going to get better every year," said Walters. "This year coming in we have quite a few solid freshman. They're going to be good this year but they're going to be even better next year in their junior and senior years."
Bloomenrader and Walters would also like to thank their fans.
"I don't think I could do it without my family and friends," said Bloomenrader. "They just push me to do things that I never thought I could do and it's really nice to feel that love why I keep running."
"It's great seeing you guys come to all of the meets especially the ones that are further away," said Walters. "You don't expect to see a lot of Wayne State fans there but it's always good to hear you guys on the course and see you guys."
Coach Brink also added training and practices have been going well and even the weather has been a little bit more cooperative.
"Last year was super hot," said coach Brink. "I remember we did a lot of 5:30/6 a.m. practices. This year, we've been able to go in the afternoon more so I think that's kind of helped as well. You can just get a better quality workout in I think in the afternoon. The bodies are a little more awake and are ready to go."
Next up for the Wayne State College women's and men's cross country team will be the Greeno/Dirksen Nebraska Invite at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln. The meet is set for Saturday, September 20.
