Cross Country seeks to win third Northern Athletic Conference title

By Tom Kennedy
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

After winning the Greater Northern Athletic Conference two years in a row, the Norwich University Men's Cross Country Team expects to win a third straight championship with hard work and determination, according to the team's co-captains.

"This is the best team we have had since I've been here." said junior Peter Seils, a 21-year-old Criminal Justice major from Harrisville, N.Y. "We have speed; our top-seven runners are under the six-minute-mile mark, which is outstanding!"

Head Coach Chris Walzcak held the team responsible for getting in shape over the summertime, knowing that their third straight GNAC championship is on the line.

"Coach's 13-week training block puts you through the grinder; it's a tough workout, but we come into the season in great shape," said senior co-captain David Steves, a 22-year-old criminal justice major from Ballston Lake, N.Y.

During the week, the team practices vary depending on the type of course they will be running for their next meet. The team is focusing on distance and speed workouts, pushing themselves to beat their best five-mile time, which they are timed on during meets.

"We go out, and for a three- to eight-mile run, then come back and do intervals on the track to work on our speed," explained junior co-captain Dana Dexter, 20, criminal justice major from Woburn, Mass.

The Cadets have already had three meets in which the results were satisfactory, but they believe that there is plenty of room for improvement.

"We face a lot of Division I teams, at first, which is tough, but the second half of the season looks good. We hope to go far in the ECACs," Dexter said.

This year's incoming freshmen have lent a helping hand to the Cadets.

"We always get a good group of freshmen; this year's guys are all strong runners, and with hard work they will be top contenders for us in the future," said Mike Hostetler, a 22-year-old senior engineering major from Union Mills, Ind.

With their third straight championship right in front of their eyes, the cadets are confident the title will be theirs again. "We got a strong team this year; we are gunning for a three-peat." Steves said.

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