Airey Bros Radio EP 408 | 2025 NJCAA Cross Country Nationals Preview Show — D1, D2 & D3 Coaches Roundtable - Airey Bros.'s Radio

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
You're listening to Airy Brose Radio, be there or B
Square because it's all killer, no.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
Filler, ladies and gentlemen. Howdy and aloha, we are here,
you were there, and you are now rocking with the best.
Thanks for tuning into another episode of Airy Bros. Radio Tonight.
We're lasing up to spikes for the twenty twenty five
NJCAA Cross Country National Championships hosted by Iowa Central Community
College right here in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Before we get rolling,

(00:27):
y'all know the drill. Head over to YouTube, make sure
you have her that like button and subscribe. Follow us
on Instagram at Airy Bros Radio, or wherever you listen
to your podcasts. Drop a comment, everyview, review, and share
helps us grow and get back to the sport we loved.
This episode is fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching for
all your ultra marathon and nutrition coaching needs. The huge

(00:50):
thank you to Coach d Brown and the crew at
Iowa Central for hosting this year's National Championships and bringing
the NJCAA family together. From the training grin to the
travel miles, you've all earned your spot at the twenty
twenty five national championships, and tonight we celebrate you. Every athlete,
every coach, every team that punched their ticket to Fort Dodge. Congratulations.

(01:13):
We're kicking things off with the NJCAA Division III, home
with some of the most tradition rich programs in the country.
These squads may fly under the raidar, but they bring grit,
heart and championship culture to every course they line up on.
We'll hear from coaches representing the Mineral Area College Cardinals
out of Park Hills, Missouri, ranked number one in the
nation on the women's side and number four on the men.

(01:35):
The joe Lette Junior College Wolves from joe Lett, Illinois
is sitting at number two on the women and number
three for the men, and the College of du Page Chaparals,
based in Glen Ellen, Illinois, women's team comes in ranked
third and the men are ranked second. Each program is
ready to battle for the top of the podium this weekend.
Let's get into it now. Joining us from Mineral Area College,

(01:57):
located in Park Hills, Missouri, the Cardinals. The women's team
is currently ranked number one in the nation and the
men's team sits at number four. Coach Stephen Davis welcome
dry Brose Radio. Thanks for joining us on a Sunday.
We're excited to break this down and get a little
bit more. Jimmy and I are both Division III Junior
college all Americans, So this is a division that sits

(02:19):
near and dear in our heart and it means a
lot to us and we appreciate.

Speaker 3 (02:22):
Your time, yes, sir, glad to hear that, so, Coach Davis.
The women are currently ranked number one in the nation
and the men are currently ranked number four in the nation.
Who are the standout runners that we need to keep
an eye out on?

Speaker 4 (02:35):
Standouts on the women you know or won last year,
and we return just one runner from that team, and
her name is Alice and Skyles and she was actually
third at the twenty twenty four meet. But we have
two freshmen that have been pacing us so far this year.
Clay Wittenberg is a freshman and she ran in high

(02:57):
school here in Missouri at Alton, Missouri. And the other
young lady is Emily Marriott and she ran for Cape
Central and Cape Gerard and they're both freshmen.

Speaker 5 (03:07):
Now.

Speaker 4 (03:07):
Alison has been running not too far behind him, but
she's kind of dealt with the knee issue that has
you know, kind of slowed her and we're hoping she's
going to be you know, up to power by the
Nationals next Saturday, but she's been having a little bit
of trouble for knee issue. So those are standouts on
our women's side and on the men's side, you know,
really heavy freshman group here. Lucas Campbell's Festust Missouri, really

(03:30):
stand out program. Festest runs several state titles as a school.
And we also have a young man by name of
Garrett Short who last week at the region meet made
all regions and he almost had like a min and
a half her running almost twenty eight flat and he
kind of came out of nowhere. And he's a sophomore
from Vallet Catholic High School in Missouri, and so you know,

(03:53):
we're thinking and hoping that maybe him running that way
and our team getting together, that'll be nice to maybe
get make that podium. Was one of the top three finishes.

Speaker 6 (04:02):
Awesome.

Speaker 3 (04:03):
Awesome coach.

Speaker 2 (04:04):
Have you been able to either in person or virtually
been able to preview the course and what are your
thoughts on it and how does the team matchup?

Speaker 4 (04:13):
Well, we actually you know have been there. We the
COVID year in twenty twenty that the national meet took
place there and our our men's team won there, and
of course the number of teams that were allowed to
go at the Division three level were kind of small.
It was really really small meat on the D three level.
All three divisions took place that year in twenty twenty.
With that golf course, you know, you know, very very
nice race course, good for spectators to get around and

(04:35):
not have to move too much to kind of get
from one side to the other and see the race.
You know, the inclines that are in it or you know,
are challenging, but yet you know, not real super hard.
And we have some of our races we went to
this year to closely mimic you know what that golf
course is like one thing can ever mimic is like
the you know, the mother nature factor. We came in

(04:57):
the in twenty twenty, I think it was in the forties.
We just okay, it's not gonna be two bad race conditions,
but you know that just kind of depends on what
the wind does on you can get some gustine wins.
In that particular year in twenty twenty, it was a
pretty good Win guest that year. It made it not
too great for the spectators watching, and I think the
runners got to it in good shape.

Speaker 2 (05:13):
But we're looking for that course.

Speaker 4 (05:15):
It's a nice course and I've got golf course some
real nice area, so we're looking forward to that.

Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, the weather is looking between forty and fifty degrees,
but it did say that there might be some some
windy conditions.

Speaker 3 (05:29):
Yes, So coach, what's it going to take to get
to the top of the podium on the women's and
men's side.

Speaker 4 (05:37):
There'll be a tall task for the men, you know,
I like to make the podium and get one of
those three awards. They've got a shot, you know, combined that,
you know, our gap one to five is just barely
over a minute, and that's you know, that's a big
help for it. So if I think they can all
run you know, good races obviously and stay packed up
that close, they've got a shot to make the podium

(05:59):
realistic as well as Harper is running that, you know,
unless something would happen, you know, sickness or injury wise there,
which is I guess the reason why we run the race.
But they look like the pretty well standout team. On
the women's side, our women have a good shot of
making the top spot, but for sure being in the trophies,
which what we want. But he's pretty up the top there.

(06:21):
It's gonna match up real good for getting in and
having you know, three in and our number four not
too far behind us, kind of like the gap between
our number five closing out and not being too far
of a distance behind number four to probably have us
have a shot to be on that top spot, not
to get.

Speaker 2 (06:38):
Too far past the championships. But will you guys be
solely focusing on the cross country race? Will we be
teeing up on Tuesday for the half marathon championships as well?

Speaker 4 (06:49):
Yes, we do have five individuals who are going to
be toned up at the half marathon as well, one female,
the Emily Mariut that I mentioned. And we've got four
young men who have done some longer runs and kind
of kept their training and make sure they can handle
the distance that are going to be experiencing that half
marathon for the first time.

Speaker 2 (07:08):
And they'll all be doubling back.

Speaker 3 (07:11):
Yes, awesome, awesome, Well Coach Davis, thank you for joining
us today and best of luck at Nationals. We'll be
watching and we'll be cheering for you.

Speaker 7 (07:22):
I appreciate that.

Speaker 4 (07:23):
Then, thank you for the coverage and appreciate what you
do with the podcast.

Speaker 2 (07:27):
Absolutely, best of luck to you coach. Safe travels on
their way to four Dodge.

Speaker 6 (07:30):
Yes you, thank you.

Speaker 2 (07:31):
Now joining us from joe Lett Junior College, located in
joe Let, Illinois, home of the Wolves. The women's team
is ranked number two and the men team holds the
number three spot. Coach Jeff de Grau, Welcome to Terry Bros.

Speaker 7 (07:44):
Radio.

Speaker 2 (07:44):
Guys, good, how are you sir? Good so coach, as
we're heading international championships coming up this week in Fort Dodge.
Who are the standouts that we need to be keeping
an eye on from your program?

Speaker 8 (07:56):
Well, for our women, Gabby Zich, she was a returning
All Americans, she was eighth last year. And then our
number two runners Alison Bohenick. She has really improved this year.
This is really only her, you know, third or fourth
year of really running and she did a fantastic job
over the summer getting ready for this season. And on

(08:18):
the men's side, Nathan Sarletti, he's the defending champion, and
Gavin Carlson was seventh last year. Then our third guy
was also an All American Logan Schmidt, So we got
three pretty good wins up front.

Speaker 2 (08:35):
Okay, I might have a one to two punch there.
Could we keep an eye out for that? Maybe?

Speaker 6 (08:39):
Well, I don't know about that.

Speaker 1 (08:41):
You know, it's hard to do.

Speaker 2 (08:43):
Sure, that's why we run the races. But it's good
to have two low sticks like that.

Speaker 3 (08:48):
Coach, we know that they've had the Nationals before and
Fort Dodge. Have you had an opportunity to be at
the course of Fort Dodge or do you have any
awareness of what the course is like and what to expect.

Speaker 8 (09:00):
Yeahs, it's one of my favorites because we were there
in twenty twenty and our women won and our men
were second, so very familiar with the course. It was
not a good weather day that day, which is fine
because we all have to run in it. But you know,
we have the course maps. It hasn't changed so and

(09:24):
we've been talking about it a little. I've been talking
about it a little with my team about what the
course is like, but really not much emphasis right now
on the course to them. I know what to expect
and we'll get more into that once we get there.

Speaker 2 (09:39):
Coach, what's going to take for the men and women
to get on the podium this year?

Speaker 8 (09:44):
Well, I think for the men, you know, Region four,
we have the top three teams in the country in Harper,
who I think is the clear cut favorite college of
du Page and US. And then after that, you know,
like you said, it's why we run the race, but
I think it's you know, it could be any combination

(10:06):
of you know, Region four, and I'm proud of the
fact that, you know, the Midwest has a lot of
good teams up there, and you know, we face each
other a lot during the season, so we're familiar with
each other a lot, so you know, sometimes that can
be an advantage. Sometimes that can be a disadvantage because

(10:29):
you never know what the other one's going to do.
Although you know, we pretty much know each other really well,
and the coaches know each other, and we've raced enough
over the years against each other. You know, it's just
a matter of who runs well that day. And for
the women, I think the women's race is absolutely wide
open among the top five teams. I think whoever runs

(10:53):
the best on November eighth will win. There has been
no you know, mineral defending champ and their rank number one.
Right now, we've been getting a little bit better each
week during the season. You know, we had a close
region meet with the College of DuPage. Jefferson has experience

(11:14):
and a team. Another team that's very good is Kellogg
from Michigan. So I think it's you know, who runs
best on Saturday.

Speaker 3 (11:24):
Coach. Is there any thought to why they're such good
Division three junior college teams in the Midwest.

Speaker 8 (11:31):
Well, I think it's twofold. We have a lot of
great athletes and all of us, you know, recruit from
our districts, and Illinois is very very good with track
and cross country, and there's so many you know, being
we're all suburbs of the Chicago Land area, so we're
not in Chicago, but the suburbs are so good in

(11:52):
cross country that you know, even on our teams, you know,
it's not the big time runners went to high school,
but it's the you know, the girls or guys who
finished on their team, you know, seventh or eighth, ninth, tenth,
people who never really got the opportunity to perform, like

(12:14):
at a state meet or sometimes even a sectional meet
for the high school. But now all of a sudden.
You know, those kids are paid attention to, they're given
a little bit of confidence, and it's amazing what these
kids from all three of our schools have done.

Speaker 2 (12:30):
Coach, well, men's and women's program. We're solely focusing on
the cross country race. Will you guys be doubling back
and taking on the half marathon on Tuesday as well?

Speaker 8 (12:38):
No, no half marathon for us.

Speaker 7 (12:41):
Okay?

Speaker 2 (12:41):
Is that always been the case in the programs?

Speaker 3 (12:45):
Yes? Yes, coach. Is there anything about the wolfs that
we need to know about that we haven't covered going
into the National Championship race?

Speaker 9 (12:54):
No.

Speaker 8 (12:54):
I think it's going to be an exciting race, and
like we've said a couple of times now, that's why
we run the race. It's just, you know, depends on
the weather.

Speaker 3 (13:04):
You know.

Speaker 8 (13:04):
If the weather's great, I think it's going to be
a different race than and I know the course out
there can be windy. It was very windy and twenty
and you know, of course every coach has Fort Dodge
on their weather app for like the last month just
and seeing how it's changed. But you know, bad weather

(13:24):
brings everybody closer together, you know. And I've had races
where it's been great weather and you have races where
it's bad and if the weather is windy or rainy,
or whatever the case may be, that just throws the
wrench in and you know you have to be prepared
for anything.

Speaker 3 (13:44):
Well, coach, we are excited to see what the wolves
do out in Fort Dodge. Thank you for joining us today,
and we can't wait to watch what you guys do
this weekend.

Speaker 1 (13:54):
I appreciate it. Thank you very much.

Speaker 2 (13:56):
Yes, sir, have a great day, safe travels to Fort
Dodge and we'll be watching on Saturday. Okay, take care.
But now joining us from the College of du Page
in glenn Ellen, Illinois, home of the Chaparales. The women's
team comes in ranked third and the men are ranked second.
Coach Mallory do Mingez, Welcome to Aery Brose Radio.

Speaker 3 (14:17):
Hi, Hi, coach, thanks for joining us.

Speaker 10 (14:20):
Yeah, thanks for having me.

Speaker 9 (14:22):
So.

Speaker 3 (14:22):
The women are currently ranked third going into nationals. Who
do we need to keep an eye out on going
into the national championships.

Speaker 10 (14:32):
You know, I think something unique about this girl's group.
I think it's the strongest girls group the school's ever had.
Highest finished you pages had on the women's side is
third but that was kind of a COVID year. Participation
was a little bit down at the National Championship. So
it's definitely the strongest team I've had, and I think
one of their strengths is that they're very close together

(14:54):
that top five, But I mean our start are our
number one has been the same number one all year,
Jessica Balmer, So I expect that she's going to go
out pretty strong, and she raced pretty confidently at regional.
She was our region champ, and I think that you
know she's she's gonna look she's looking pretty good for national,
So we're really excited for that.

Speaker 2 (15:16):
Coach. We know that the twenty twenty Nationals were held
in Fort Dodge, but a lot of teams weren't able
to participate because of COVID restrictions. Have you had a
chance to do some ricon either virtually or in person
at any time, and what are your thoughts on the
course and any key places that we might see some
decisive moves made.

Speaker 10 (15:35):
I've looked at it virtually. I feel like it's going
to be a pretty similar course to what we ran.
We ran Bradley Pink Classic at Bradley University. It's a
golf course kind of some very slight rolling hills, so
I think, you know, it just depends on the day.
You know, we're still a little bit far out. If
we get some crosswinds and things like that, I could definitely,

(15:55):
you know, impact runners just being so open. But as
I always tell all my athletes, everybody's running the same thing.
So I think that our kids are more than prepared.
Our region course is really intense hills. It's on an
old landfill across country course, so I think, you know,
all the teams in our region, if they can run that,

(16:16):
then they're going to be more than prepared to run this.
So excited to see some faster times then we had
it regionals from from all the region four. Really, I
think it's gonna be It's gonna be fun. But I
haven't been to the course personally myself. Be twenty twenty,
I was not on the coaching staff.

Speaker 3 (16:33):
So is there any concern on the weather. You've been
checking the weather or you guys kind of used to
the same weather that they haven't for Dodge.

Speaker 10 (16:43):
Yeah, I think we're kindly used to it. You know,
we're we're Midwest and normally we're traveling to the East
Coast for Nationals, but this is first one I've been
with that's in the Midwest, and we're used to that.
You know, we have bipolar weather here in Illinois, and
so I think whatever is thrown at us, our kids
are pretty used to. So I think, you know, that's
an advantage being from the Midwest, you know, getting to

(17:05):
race in the Midwest. So it might be a little chilly,
but I think our kids are ready for that.

Speaker 3 (17:10):
So currently ranked number three, what's it going to take
to get to the top of the podium.

Speaker 10 (17:18):
For the women? Yes, you know, I think and I've
told this on both sides of my teams, because it's
the women's and the men's. I really think it's going
to come down to who's got the most guts race
day and who runs the strongest race. You know, are
we have a really strong region. Mineral areas technically not

(17:39):
in our region, but they're local dust too, They're not
that far.

Speaker 9 (17:43):
And I think.

Speaker 10 (17:46):
Really it's just going to come down to like who
wants it the most, news the best day, and who
puts it all together, you know, because I really think
it can go very many directions. You know, I think
our team has the chance to win, and I also
think we could end up second, we can end up third,
And you know, I'm confident that my girls are prepared
to run the race in front of them, that they're
gonna run, you know, the best that they can do,

(18:09):
and that's all that we can do, you know, fight.

Speaker 9 (18:12):
The competition, and.

Speaker 10 (18:14):
I think it's just gonna take everybody having the best
day altogether. Really, everybody can pr and all have the
best day on the same day. I think that's what
it would take.

Speaker 3 (18:24):
Coach. I want to thank you for emphasizing the women
because the men are currently ranked number two and we
haven't spoken on them. So who do we need to
keep an eye out on the men's side And what
are the men going to need to do to get
get to the top of the podium.

Speaker 10 (18:40):
You know our men, you know, our leader all year
has been Adriana Quintaro. He's a freshman from Woollobrook. Been
raising pretty strong. He's you know, with a heavy freshman team.
You only have two sophomores on our squad, so it's
a lot of freshmen there. Took a while to learn
the AK, but I feel like they're finally it's finally
starting to click. I think I think Jack Schultz is going

(19:01):
to be He's our top returner. He's fourth of the
national championship last year, and so I think I'm expecting
a pretty good breakout race from him, uh for Nationals,
and I know he's going to go out. You know,
he's gonna go out and go for it. You know,
he's really excited, and I think I think he's gonna
have a breakout race. He you know, dealt a little
bit of some nerve pain and we kind of sat

(19:21):
him for Regionals just so we could be in the
best shape for Nationals. And so I think he's gonna
be one to watch out for too. But our entire pack,
like the girls, is very close, three four, five, six, seven,
all of them. So I think that's another strength that
we have, and so you know, I'll be looking forward
to that too to see how that pans out.

Speaker 2 (19:42):
Coach, are you all just focusing on the cross country race?
Will you be towing the line on Tuesday for the
half marathon Championships.

Speaker 10 (19:49):
We will be towing the line for the half marathon Championships.
We're actually bringing our first women's team to it. And
I know I was just in coach at the time.
Twenty twenty two, we brought the first D three team
that I'm aware of to the championship and our men
got six that year. Nicholas Keeling led our half marathon
group that year and he's actually one of my assistant
coaches now. It's kind of a full circle thing and

(20:11):
so we are bringing both the men's and a women's team. Obviously,
you know, the half marathon has even gotten I feel
like stronger and stronger every year competition wise, and we
do recognize that we're a D three program at that championship,
and pretty much most of my kids have never ran
a half marathon before. I haven't training, but not racing,
and so I think it's just gonna be a really
good experience to get to race against, you know, some

(20:33):
of these best teams in the D one and the
D two level and kind of get that experience under
their belts. Because a lot of these kids obviously want
to transfer to four years when they're done with Dawson,
I think it's good for them to experience that level
of competition. So I'm excited to see what they'll do.
I have no idea where we'll be place wise in that,
but I think it'll be a really good experience with them.

Speaker 3 (20:53):
Do the kids appreciate that there are no divisions in
the half marathon and they get to toe the line
with all the other divisions.

Speaker 10 (21:01):
I think so yeah. I think they're you know, really
excited to just race against race against all the competition
and things like that. You know, there's some really really
talented kids every year and the half marathon, and I
think it's you know, the page in throughout their history
was D one in the past, but we've always been
non scholarship, and that was the decision to move back

(21:22):
to D three several years ago. And I think it's
just a great opportunity to kind of just like I said,
you know, you want to get faster, you have to
race against fast people, and I think that it's a
great opportunity for our kids to do that.

Speaker 3 (21:35):
So yes, it is a great opportunity. And Rich and
I are both Division III JUCO guys, Rich in cross country,
me and wrestle, and so we appreciate the Division three experience.
So thank you so much for your time today and
we will be cheering for you all.

Speaker 9 (21:53):
Thanks so much.

Speaker 2 (21:55):
Coach Safe Travelers to Fort Dodge will be glued to
the computer Saturday morning.

Speaker 10 (21:59):
Thank you, thank you, thanks for your time.

Speaker 2 (22:01):
Absolutely thank you. Next up, we're moving to the NJCAA
Division two, where power programs and rising stars collide. The
men's race has been a three team slugfest all season.
The number one ranked Lancing Community College Stars from Lansing, Michigan,
the number two ranked Wallace State Lions out of Hansville, Alabama,
who also hold the number three ranking for the women,

(22:21):
and the number three ranked Des Moines Area Community College
Bears from Boone, Iowa. On the women's side, number one
ranked Mesa Community College Thunderbirds from Mesa, Arizona have led
the charge all season long. Let's hear from the coaches
behind these powerhouse programs now joining us from Lansing Community
College in Lansing, Michigan, home of the Stars. The men's

(22:42):
team is ranked number one in the country. Coach Jim Robinson,
Welcome to aery Brose Radio coach. How's it going good?

Speaker 11 (22:49):
Good, welcome back, good to see you, good to be here.

Speaker 3 (22:53):
The men are currently ranked number one in Division two.
Who do we need to keep an eye out on
on going into nationals?

Speaker 11 (23:04):
So the strength of our team is that I have
eight runners that I think can do really well for
us on any given day. But Nate Carmody and Evan
Sidham have been our top two guys. I think both
are primed to have a very good race.

Speaker 3 (23:23):
Well. Rich has been educating me on that gap. It
seems like you guys have a short gap, so that
should be something interesting to watch.

Speaker 11 (23:35):
Yeah. No, I think I think I said last time
I was on I have what I consider my best
team I've had, and I think these guys really train hard,
they like each other, They're talented, so I think I

(23:57):
like my group.

Speaker 3 (24:00):
Coach.

Speaker 2 (24:00):
Are the men com come and collected? Are they they
feeling the pressure the number one ranking at all? Are
they smooth?

Speaker 12 (24:08):
You know?

Speaker 3 (24:08):
I don't think.

Speaker 11 (24:10):
I don't think so. I do believe this is the
first time we've come into the meat ranked first. I
think all the other times we've been ranked second or third.
But I don't think they've felt that pressure. I think
they're just excited to run. They know rankings don't count there.

(24:32):
It's fun, but they know that's why we have the race.
You got to do it all that day, So I
think they're ready for that. I think they're they're like
I said, they like the hard work at the training
and I think they'll be excited to go.

Speaker 2 (24:49):
Yeah, the only ranking that matters is that last one
at the end of the season.

Speaker 3 (24:52):
Right exactly, Coach, We know the Nationals in twenty twenty
were in Fort Dodge. Curious what your thoughts on the
course are and how the team's going to attack it.

Speaker 11 (25:06):
Yeah, you know, I was very similar in terrain to Michigan.
Maybe a little more rolling hills, but the golf course
we run on is we've been there before. It's not
too different than the golf course. The cross country courses

(25:28):
that are on golf courses here in Michigan. So they
have some long straightaways that, depending on the wind, can
be quite windy. I remember, I think it's twenty fifteen
we ran there in Fort Dodge and there was quite
a stift wind from west to east, and there's a

(25:51):
long straightaway that the guys have to run twice into
that wind. So that might make some diference in in
terms of tactics depending on how the wind is that day.
But and there's a hill you kind of a ravine
I think it is, that you go up and down
a few times that gives a little hilliness to the course,

(26:15):
but no, I think it's a pretty fair course. It's
I think the course that they use for their state championships,
so you know, it's a well used cross country course.
And my general thought on courses is the team center
best conditioned usually do the best on any given day.

(26:36):
So I'm not a.

Speaker 7 (26:41):
You know, I don't.

Speaker 11 (26:41):
I don't know that one particular course favors a certain
team over another team.

Speaker 3 (26:47):
Have you been keeping your eyes on the weather?

Speaker 11 (26:50):
I have a little bit. Looks looks pretty good. I
think the last indication is maybe a little rain, but
not really heavy rain. So yeah, temperatures. Again, Iowa gets
basically the weather that we get in Michigan, just a
couple of days before it comes east to Michigan.

Speaker 7 (27:09):
So you know, I don't.

Speaker 11 (27:13):
I don't know that though. Again, I don't think the
weather is going to make a big, big difference. I
generally tell you knows the team's it's your approach. I
think that makes the difference, not the conditions coach.

Speaker 2 (27:29):
Are there any pre race rituals or traditions? Will will
we be seeing the North Central inspired candy stripe shorts
this year?

Speaker 6 (27:39):
You will?

Speaker 11 (27:41):
I don't know if I told the story of those,
But first off, I'm you know, I think al Carius
was one of the all time great coaches. And we
went to a track meet a few years ago at
North Central and I had never met him in the
hopes of having a chance to meet him. And I

(28:05):
don't know if that's when the idea came to us
or we just saw them at a meet with their
stripe shorts, but anyway, we established a tradition. I think
we borrowed it directly from them. Of the teams that
qualifies for regionals and nationals get those stripe shorts. And
then if you're a member of the team for two

(28:25):
years and you're you know, you finish up your time
here at LC seeing good standing, you get that uniform,
whether you're whether you made it on on our national
team or not. So now we'll break out those vitia
striped uniforms and they I don't know that I'm terribly superstitious,
but we've had good fortune with those on before. We're

(28:46):
gonna wear them again.

Speaker 3 (28:47):
Why not, Richard, Now you're digging those stripes shorts. I
saw them in the clip that I made. They look
pretty cool.

Speaker 11 (28:54):
Yeah, yeah, kids like them.

Speaker 2 (28:56):
I love that throwback feel.

Speaker 3 (28:58):
Yes, cut you believe might to ask you this a
couple of weeks ago, but will you guys be racing
up on Tuesday for the half marathon?

Speaker 11 (29:07):
We're not. We did the year we were in Huntsville, Alabama.
We had some guys that really wanted to do the
half marathon, and so I told him we would. And
I have some guys that that would do well at
the half marathon this year, but.

Speaker 1 (29:27):
We didn't include that in our plan.

Speaker 11 (29:29):
So uh, maybe going forward we will because I do
have some runners that would make that transition fairly well.
You know, their their training is such that it wouldn't
be a step to stay a few extra days and
do the half marathon, but we did, we didn't include
it in the plan this year.

Speaker 3 (29:51):
Coach, is there anything about the team going into Nationals
that we haven't spoke about that you want the audience
to know?

Speaker 1 (29:59):
I don't think so.

Speaker 11 (30:01):
We're I do know that they're I have great respect
for the other coaches in Division two and the other
top teams. I know we're going to be ready. So
you know, as I said, the rankings are fun, but

(30:24):
it's it's about being ready. For that race that day,
and and I think our team realizes that, and they
know they're gonna have to run their best race because
the other teams are going to be ready to go too.

Speaker 6 (30:37):
Well.

Speaker 3 (30:37):
We look forward to watching you all race and best
of all, coach.

Speaker 11 (30:42):
All right, thanks so much.

Speaker 2 (30:44):
Safe travels to Fort Dodge. We'll be cheering for you.

Speaker 11 (30:47):
All right, appreciate it, Thank you. It's a pleasure by now.

Speaker 2 (30:51):
So yeah, now joining us from Wallace State Community College
in Hantsville, Alabama, home of the Lions. The men's team
is ranked number two and the women's team sits at
number three. Coach Anthony Crider, Welcome to Aery Brose Radio. So, coach,
men are ranked number two, women are ranked number three. Yes,
who are your standouts and who do we need to

(31:12):
keep an eye on as we head into Fort Dodge
this coming week?

Speaker 13 (31:15):
You know, with the girls with the guys first, whichever
you want. On the lady's side, I would say, you know,
Brooklyn Morgan is, she's led us all year long. She's fantastic,
she's been a sensational runner for us. She's run she's
one Runner of the year, National Runner of the Year

(31:39):
once this year and I'm looking for big things out
of her. And then I've also got another freshman that
I feel like that she'll probably run her best race
that she's run all year, and then another sophomore that
she's been pretty concern to all year. I heard, Uh,

(32:02):
the other freshman's name is Cadence Rivera, and the sophomore
is Grace Goslin. On the men's side, Tyler, Anthony, daniel
Lehigh and a host of about six others that are
about the same. You know, they're very consistent, all sophomore.

Speaker 2 (32:27):
Okay, and are we uh? Are we looking at some
low sticks here? We were carrying a pack mentality into
for Dodge.

Speaker 13 (32:35):
I think we're carrying a pack mentality. On the guy's side,
we're we learned a lot last year when we finished third,
and I don't think we want to make them same
mistakes we made in the race last year. So, like
I said, we've learned and so we've corrected those mistakes,

(32:58):
and I feel like that that the guys are really
ready to go. On the girls side, I think we
will have a low stick. I think we'll have I
think Brooklyn will be probably in that top three to five,
and then I think we'll have a group of women

(33:21):
that are pack running pretty much two groups after that.
So really proud of the of the men and the women.
They both have done great things this year and been
very consistent.

Speaker 3 (33:40):
Coach, it sounds like the men's team is hungry. They've
got a taste in their mouth from last year and
they're ready to go get it this year.

Speaker 13 (33:47):
I'm telling you they're They're about as hungry as you
can get. They're as hungry as a line.

Speaker 3 (33:53):
I'd say, Coach, what are your thoughts on the course
in Fort Dodge? Have you got to scope it out? Yeah?

Speaker 13 (34:00):
Yeah, we run there back during COVID and I really
like it. I think it's a great course. It's one
of my favorites, to be honest with you, I think
with the conditions we're going to have, it's it's going
to be pretty much the weather we've been used to
the last month, So I think I think if we

(34:22):
if we work the course the right way and and
do the things we know we're supposed to do, I
think it could be a really good day for us.

Speaker 2 (34:32):
Will you guys be doubling back for the half marathon
or you're just focusing on the cross country race this year.

Speaker 13 (34:37):
No, we're just we're one hundred percent cross country this year.
We're but in the past we have done the half,
but we're you know, that's that's one of the reasons
we're pretty much just focusing on the on the eight
k and the five k. We want, you know, we
want our best to come on Saturday, So not real

(34:58):
worried about the Tuesday after. But maybe next year, you know,
next year, I think we'll hop in the half and
do it.

Speaker 3 (35:06):
But this year.

Speaker 13 (35:08):
We're laser focused on the task hand.

Speaker 3 (35:14):
Coach, Do the Lions have any traditions, any special uniforms
anything like that going into Nationals? Not really.

Speaker 13 (35:21):
We have three different uniforms and I'm gonna let them
choose what they want to wear. I think the guys
will probably be in their traditional orange uniforms, and you
never know who the ladies. They may they may choose
at the last minute to go with something, you know, different,
but I suppose they may go with orange too.

Speaker 3 (35:47):
Coach, is there anything that we haven't spoke of, any
stories of the season, how the season has been going,
that you want the audience to.

Speaker 13 (35:54):
Know, you know, I think we have a great hunger
this year. We have a purpose. We finished third last year,
which is great, but we have a goal and our
goal is to win it, and you know, just like
anybody else, we're we're very hungry and I think we

(36:17):
learned a lot from last year, so I'm I'm very excited.
I mean, our team has worked really hard and as
as you both know, it's it's it's it's kind of
a tough act too too, you know, stay fit and
also stay healthy, and I think for the most part

(36:40):
we've done that, you know, and we've had We've had
a few little nicks and bruises here along the way,
but we're managing them, you know, as we can. And
I think we'll be at our best on Saturday, hopefully.

Speaker 3 (36:57):
Well we hope you and the Lions are your best
on Saturday. We're excited to see how the team does.
And best luck and Fort Dodge.

Speaker 13 (37:06):
Hey, thank you guys. Great seeing y'all again.

Speaker 2 (37:09):
You see you again, safe travelers to Fort Dodge and
let's reconnect after Nationals. Get you back on here for
a full episode.

Speaker 13 (37:16):
Hey, I'd love that. Sure to appreciate you guys. I
think you're promoting our sport in a great way.

Speaker 2 (37:25):
Thank you, sir. We appreciate you and like I said,
safe travels, best of luck, and may the wind be
at your back on Saturday.

Speaker 13 (37:32):
Yeah, can you all say go lines?

Speaker 2 (37:34):
Go on lines?

Speaker 3 (37:37):
All right, guys, take care of Coach here.

Speaker 2 (37:42):
Now joining us from Des Moines Area Community College in Boone, Iowa,
home of the Bears coach Michael Melchert. The men's team
is currently ranked third in the latest rankings. Coach Melchert,
Welcome to Avery Bros. Radio.

Speaker 9 (37:56):
Hey, thank you guys for having me.

Speaker 2 (37:57):
Who are the standout runners for the Bears that we
need to keep an eye on on Saturday?

Speaker 13 (38:03):
Yeah.

Speaker 9 (38:03):
I think Eli Page has been our top guy all year.

Speaker 12 (38:06):
He was one place out of that All American spot
last year at sixteenth, and he kind of had an
All Raise too, So I think there's definitely field of
fire this year to see how.

Speaker 9 (38:15):
He can do.

Speaker 12 (38:16):
But he's led us the whole way as a sophomore
this year. And then our number two is a freshman
kind of from the Des Moines Area sim where he
he's really come on strong.

Speaker 9 (38:27):
He had the injury kind of mid season, so.

Speaker 12 (38:29):
I would say look for him to have a big
performance at the national meet as well.

Speaker 3 (38:33):
Coach how have they been running this year so far?
You have big expectations for them going into the nationals.

Speaker 5 (38:41):
Yeah.

Speaker 12 (38:41):
I think the main thing is, you know, you only
have two years with most of these kids. Once in
a while you'll get some kid do three years, but
for the most part two years. So I think early
on it's really hard to tell where we're at because
we're just we're just trying to get you.

Speaker 9 (38:55):
Know, the groups together, the guys that need to be together.

Speaker 12 (38:58):
We're trying to see where we're at, especially on the
freshman front, and kind of how it all deels together.
So I feel like every year we've had a slower
stide at the beginning of the year, and then really
it's kind of the snowball effect when we get mid season,
we kind of have some freshmen seem to break out
of their shell race wise and see some big performances.
And then come post seasons when we've really run our

(39:19):
best in the past.

Speaker 3 (39:20):
All right, and knowing that you guys are in Iowa,
have you had a chance to run on the course
and for Dodge this year.

Speaker 5 (39:27):
Yeah.

Speaker 12 (39:28):
We actually ran there last week for the regional meet,
and I think all of our guys ran there in
high school too.

Speaker 9 (39:35):
Obviously it's a five k course, but still it's good.

Speaker 12 (39:38):
Good to having a lot of them had a lot
of success there in high school, so huge advance for
us to be able to run there last week and
kind of see how it runs for eight k distance.

Speaker 2 (39:47):
How'd that go for you last week?

Speaker 9 (39:50):
Pretty well?

Speaker 12 (39:51):
I think, you know, we were ob would say heavy
favorites in the region, so it's still you know, we
really wanted to see how our pack would run on
that course and kind of see what the last three
k of that course kind of how it runs. It
was a great day as a little windy, but other
than that, we just kind of wanted to see how
it ran and see how our pack would kind of

(40:11):
match up against actually the Division one schools I was
Central and Iowa Western. We race against UH in our region,
so kind of see how we stack up against those
top tier programs.

Speaker 2 (40:21):
How'd you stack up against both of those programs pretty well?

Speaker 12 (40:26):
I mean it scored differently. It's the same race, but
scored differently. So obviously for Division two we had the
we had one guy broke up our top five, so
we went one two and then there was a different
team and then we went three, four, five, So it
went really well for those guys.

Speaker 2 (40:42):
Coach, what's gonna take to get on top of the
podium ahead of Wallace State and Lansing.

Speaker 12 (40:48):
Yeah, I think Lancing's obviously, I think they return their
whole team and they have some freshmen there to help out,
so they're definitely the heavy favorites there there at the
top there, so we're gonna have to take them down.

Speaker 9 (41:00):
I think the biggest thing is.

Speaker 12 (41:02):
You know, we have our low stick in Eli Page
and then it's gonna be up to our two through six.
How do they stack up against Lancing's two through six,
and that would be the race. I think if they
can run together like they have a year in each
race has gotten better and better, we start to taper here,
I think we're gonna give them our best shot. And
then wall State obviously great program as well. I think,

(41:24):
you know, it is a three team race. I think
I think four, five, six or four and five at
least are also very talented, So definitely keeping an eye
on them those Arizona schools. But I think if we
have Page b our low stick, and then it's just
up to our two through six to work together and
see how close they can keep Elie Page.

Speaker 2 (41:42):
Are you giving them a goal in terms of that
one through two through six split.

Speaker 12 (41:48):
Yeah, I think we need four all Americans. I think
to be Lancing are gonna have to have four all Americans.
So it's kind of that top fifteen barrier we need
to have. You know, obviously, if you have you know,
you go seven, ten, eleven, sixteenth, not the end of
the world, but that's kind of like our what we
need to see and then you know, just wink on
that five to see where they come in.

Speaker 3 (42:10):
Coach, When you say floral Americans to the kids, do
they just nod their head like yeah, we're gonna go
get it, or do their eyes get super big like
what are you talking about?

Speaker 7 (42:18):
Coach?

Speaker 3 (42:19):
Yeah?

Speaker 12 (42:19):
It it helps that the sophomores we have coming back
are all in our top seven, so that helps a
lot where they're like, you know, we've done it before,
we know what that type of competition looks like, because
we don't really know. We don't see any of these obviously.
The Arizona School is no chance. We don't see any
of these schools. Hartland's only school during eighth I think
that we've seen this year, So you know you're just

(42:41):
throw It's it's hard to just throw a name out
there like go stick, you know Lancing, this number two
guy from Lansing could run a great this year. It's like, no,
we just focus on you know, this is what the
race looks like in years past. You know, this is
where you need to be. This is these are the
kind of the packs and the race you need to
work with. You know, if it goes goes out quick,
this is what need to expect. If it really SAgs

(43:02):
bag you got it, you know, be ready at four
to five k because at some point that thing's going
to get rolling. So I think it's more just race
queues instead of instead of bodies. But obviously when you
hit that finish line and we go through the results,
you know you got to have four people right around
that top fifteen.

Speaker 3 (43:20):
Coach, you said that you don't see a lot of
the other Division two schools throughout the year, and we
know you have some Division IE junior college powerhouses in
the state that you're probably running against a lot. Do
you feel that helps the kids as far as competing.

Speaker 12 (43:37):
Yeah, I think it helps in terms of we just
focus on ourselves then because if you're racing those schools
week to week, you are just focused on how much
did we lose them this week? How much would we
beat them this week? What did they do this week?
Where now it's like I don't even really talk about
I mean, I'm checking on other team results, but week
to week to week, how every workout is structured is like,

(43:58):
you know, this is what we did well in this
two week timeframe. What do we need to work on? Okay,
now now that we've gotten better at that, what can
we what can we do next to get better in
the next two So I think I think it actually
helps kind.

Speaker 9 (44:10):
Of avoiding them a little bit.

Speaker 12 (44:14):
But I think you know, you you know that those
teams are always going to be there.

Speaker 2 (44:19):
Coach, Will you guys be focusing solely on the cross
country Championships? We'll be sticking around for the half marathon
on Tuesday.

Speaker 12 (44:25):
We're actually good question, We're gonna, you know, obviously focus
on the biggest thing is the AK Championship, But then
we do have a few athletes that are going to
compete in the half marathon.

Speaker 2 (44:37):
Are there any special week of nationals, traditions or anything
that the Bears do.

Speaker 12 (44:45):
No, I think, yeah, just another I think the biggest
thing is they're like, god, dang, finally I can have
a little you know, down mileage, down intensity.

Speaker 2 (44:54):
You know.

Speaker 9 (44:54):
I think that's the biggest thing.

Speaker 7 (44:57):
You know.

Speaker 9 (44:57):
We're together a little bit more this week.

Speaker 12 (45:00):
You know, having we have a few more meals this week,
and we talked things through just a little bit more,
especially because being an Eyeway, I mean, it could be
any sort of weather. I think the weather for Saturday's
changed like three times already, So just talking through those
things too will change the race playing just a little bit.
So seeing those kids every day is a little better
versus you know, a normal regular season week will do

(45:24):
Tuesday workout, Wednesday easy, Thursday will go over the course,
and then Friday we kind of just spike it up
and let it ride.

Speaker 2 (45:33):
Nice coach your Hawkeye?

Speaker 9 (45:36):
Correct, correct, you got it.

Speaker 2 (45:39):
You ever check in at any of the wrestling matches
while you were a Hawkeye?

Speaker 9 (45:42):
Absolutely? Absolutely. I don't think you can go to I
would not be a wrestling fan.

Speaker 2 (45:48):
Okay, okay, yeah, catch your matches with spent While.

Speaker 9 (45:53):
I was just gonna say Spencer Lee was there. I
forget how many.

Speaker 12 (45:55):
Years younger he is to me, but yeah, yeah, they were.
They were there when I was there, and actually, I.

Speaker 9 (46:02):
It's funny. So his uh, freshman year, we had the so.

Speaker 12 (46:07):
These like athletic dinners, you know, you get you get
these scholarships, and then a lot of times his scholarships
are funded by families, so you have these dinners with
these families and specially actually his freshman year was at
a dinner that I was at, and I I didn't
know anything about him obviously, I mean, I knew he's
a freak, but I was like, you know, all the

(46:27):
freshman recruits are four time state champs, right, So at
this dinner, these family just they knew everything about his
knee injury coming in, and.

Speaker 9 (46:37):
I was just like this.

Speaker 12 (46:37):
I came home my wife now girlfriend at the time,
I was like, this kid must be just an absolute
freak because they just talked to him this whole dinner.
He hasn't even raised a match yet, rustled the match yet.
So yeah, especially it's crazy because he's he's such an
like he's a great kid, and he has such a
not timid but he's just like, I don't know, you

(47:00):
would not think how you know, how much of a
demon he is on the match.

Speaker 9 (47:04):
It's just crazy how those wrestlers turn it on.

Speaker 3 (47:08):
Coach. We'll be rooting for you a little more. Come on,
we cover wrestling and run in here.

Speaker 6 (47:15):
So that's good.

Speaker 3 (47:17):
The fact that you were going to Carver, Hawkeye to
watch them wrestle matches, Yeah, absolutely, coach. Is there anything
about the team, about the season, anything that we haven't
spoke on that you want the audience to know.

Speaker 12 (47:30):
I think one person just to look out I didn't
talk about that much is Joseph Lowry is a freshman
for us. He really, you know, just had a great
junior high school season, didn't have the senior high school
season he wanted, came to DMAC and he has just
been weak after week after week, even worked at building building, building,
getting that confidence back. I think that was kind of
the biggest thing. So I know he has not been

(47:53):
in our top five maybe more than once, but really
look out for him.

Speaker 9 (47:57):
To affect the race.

Speaker 12 (47:58):
And I just think having that in our back podcast,
so you know, athletes that are coming on strong at
the end of the year is huge to have at
the championships versus maybe some guys you think of Pete
Durley or some guys you're like we're holding this guy's
I band together by bandaid, just trying to get through
the end of the year, so I think just look
out for him.

Speaker 3 (48:17):
Well, coach, you got us excited and they can tell
you got some fire and you're gonna have those kids
fired up. So we're super excited to see what you'll
do here on Saturday at the National Championships.

Speaker 12 (48:28):
I appreciate it. Thank you guys, Go Bear and go Hawks.

Speaker 2 (48:32):
Thank you. Safe travels, not that you're going that far,
but best lucky for Dodge.

Speaker 9 (48:37):
Thank you. Thank you guys.

Speaker 2 (48:38):
Take care.

Speaker 3 (48:38):
Coach.

Speaker 2 (48:39):
Now joining us from Mesa Community College and Mesa, Arizona,
home of the Thunderbirds. The women's team lead the Division
two standings at number one. Coach Daniel Pescador, Welcome to
Erry Bros. Radio. Thank you, Yeah, coach, is not our
pleasure to chat with you a little bit here, get
a little bit more background on the program as we're

(48:59):
heading into nationals is this week. Who are the athletes
that we need to keep an eye on Saturday.

Speaker 14 (49:05):
Yeah, we definitely Olivia Baker. You know, she's undefeated against
all Division two JUCO runners. I think she's only lost
to maybe one or two Division one Juco runners at
the beginning of the year back in August to New
Mexico JC A couple girls, but I mean she's run
under eighteen minutes, and really the next three after her, ken.

Speaker 15 (49:27):
Lee, Lucy Katie, they've all.

Speaker 14 (49:30):
Actually run under twenty one fifty five for six k.
So definitely though those four are are the anchor of
our team and what we're looking to do next.

Speaker 3 (49:40):
Week coaches, so Tips says, is it going to be
a pack mentality or a low stick mentality?

Speaker 14 (49:49):
A little bit of both. I mean, we just want
to stick to our race plan. What we'd like to
do is just kind of get out in front and
just see if anyone's going to keep up with us.
And sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. So we just
want to stick to our style. I mean, we're just
going to naturally be in the front, but we definitely
want to stay packed up, you know, and.

Speaker 15 (50:11):
Just have all four low sticks.

Speaker 14 (50:14):
And you know, just hopefully our fifth and sixth is
you know nearby.

Speaker 2 (50:20):
Coach Nationals were in four Dodge in twenty twenty. We
know it was a windy day there. Have have you
had a chance were you there in twenty twenty and
how we're how does the team match up on this course?

Speaker 14 (50:32):
Yeah, so we actually were not our district state did
not allow us to compete or have a cross country
season that year, so it was a little unfortunate. So
last time I've been there, gosh, I believe when they
hosted it in seventeen or eighteen, it was very, very cold.

Speaker 15 (50:50):
That's about the.

Speaker 14 (50:52):
Last thing that I remember from my last time that
I've been there three times, I believe.

Speaker 15 (50:55):
But but yeah.

Speaker 2 (50:58):
And now coming from Arizona, you know, how do you
prepare how do you prepare the ladies in case it
is in Iowa November Day?

Speaker 14 (51:07):
Yeah, you know, we always tell everyone it's it's gonna
be cold for everybody. If it is, if it's cold,
if it's very windy, it's windy for everyone. You know,
we know the course, or at least I know the
course in terms of the layout, so we're prepared for it.
We're we're we've been trained for the terrain, the hills,
the type of course it is, and you know, I

(51:28):
always just tell them it's let's control what we can control,
which is our our mentality, our fitness, our race plan,
and you know, if it's very windy, everyone's gonna have
to run in it, and it's not going to really
change our style. It's just, you know, let's just go
in and execute and just have a good race and
have fun.

Speaker 3 (51:46):
Coach, you bring up control what you can control. The
girls are ranked number one right now. How do you
control coming out with that number one ranking?

Speaker 14 (51:55):
Yeah, you know, And it's funny. I was just talking
to my assistant coach the other day. I'm like, what's
harder winning the first one or repeating and defending? And
you know, we kind of agreed defending is a little harder.
But for us, it's just knowing that, you know, obviously
there's a target on us, but just running our own race,

(52:16):
just controlling expectations. At the end of the day, they're
going to move on, do things bigger and better than here.
Just be in the moment, embrace it, and whatever happens happens,
and it doesn't define them one way or another. I mean,
obviously we want to win, you know, we're not going
to beat around the bush and say that. You know,
that's not our expectation. But for us, it's just execute

(52:39):
a good race. We don't need to do anything extraordinary,
just go out and be us and you know, at
the end of the day, the.

Speaker 15 (52:46):
Results should fall where they they should.

Speaker 3 (52:48):
Bet you mentioned that pressure of defending. Has that got
to you guys at all this year?

Speaker 14 (52:56):
You know, I thought it was going too early on,
but the way we've been we've been running, I don't
think that the women necessarily feel that pressure, you know,
because we're we've got four returners, three new girls, So
for them it's just a it's a new team, new year,
and and I think they've been living up to the

(53:18):
expectation of the Pressure's just the way they've been training
and racing for each other.

Speaker 15 (53:23):
So we're excited for sure.

Speaker 2 (53:26):
Coach. Any special things the team is doing this week,
we have we're going to be seeing some new uniforms
on race day or anything like that.

Speaker 14 (53:33):
Yeah, I think the girls are well both. I think
that the men and the women are planning something. I
don't know if they want me to let it out
just yet, but they will be adding some some new
stuff that they've never done. So, you know, they kind
of gave me a preview yesterday when we were doing
our workouts, so that.

Speaker 15 (53:50):
That looks pretty cool. So yeah, they'll they'll.

Speaker 14 (53:53):
Add some you know, nice extra attire to for the occasion.

Speaker 3 (53:57):
I guess okay, okay, Coach, is Masa going to be
suiting up for the half marathon? Uh?

Speaker 14 (54:05):
You know, we never have, at least in my time
that I have. I just feel, I don't know, it's
just not something.

Speaker 15 (54:13):
That we've really geared towards to.

Speaker 14 (54:15):
Just I mean, our main focus has always just been
just get through cross country nationals and just hit that
reset butt and get ready for track. And I think
just because the makeup of our team, We've got a
bunch of eight hundred meter and milers running cross country
and it's hard enough to go to eight k for
the men. So just the makeup of our team, we

(54:36):
won't be there for the half. And I'm never against it,
but you know, are we're just kind of not there
right now.

Speaker 2 (54:45):
Coach, What's what's the sales pitch to get eight hundred
meter runners and milers around cross country? Because I've had
some trouble with it lately.

Speaker 14 (54:52):
Oh, I just tell them that that's just their their
biggest building block. I mean, I've just seen it at
every level. I remember one year Arkansas had a guy
I think he was third at D one cross country Nationals.
In the ten thousand and he was also the eight
hundred meter champion. So I just feel that it just

(55:15):
I tell them it's if you really want to run fast,
you got to be running hard in the fall, running
cross country, run different terrain, just be very uncomfortable, because
if you want to run one fifty or faster, that's
you got to get uncomfortable. So that that's what I'd
like to do, is what I tell kids. It's if
you want to run fast in the spring, you gotta

(55:37):
go hard in the fall on the grass.

Speaker 2 (55:40):
I'll take that. Take that into consideration. Start because it
seems like, especially the eight hundred kids, they're looking for
every other excuse or opportunity to play soccer, do other
things and run cross country.

Speaker 15 (55:55):
Yeah.

Speaker 14 (55:55):
No, definitely, so but they do well. I mean they
surprise themselves. I mean a couple of kids to go
low twenty six minutes and one fifteen in the spring,
so they see the benefit.

Speaker 2 (56:06):
Yeah. I always use the story from high school. I
had a teammate who was a forty eight point four
hundred meter runner, but he was our third man in
cross country for three years. So there it goes, Will
there's a way exactly it pays off for sure.

Speaker 3 (56:21):
Coach, is there anything about the team going into the
championship that we haven't spoken that you want the audience
to know?

Speaker 14 (56:28):
You know, I just think for both the men and
the women, you know, I just think that they're just
a very good group of kids.

Speaker 15 (56:35):
I mean, they're they're very.

Speaker 14 (56:38):
Just in it for each other, just a humble group.
I mean, you know, the men are trying to get
on the podium that's been eluding.

Speaker 15 (56:46):
Us for the last four years.

Speaker 14 (56:48):
So you know, for them, it's just you know, they're
just a group of young kids just trying to figure
it out.

Speaker 15 (56:57):
But they're just.

Speaker 14 (56:57):
An overall good group and we're all I'm just very
excited to get out there and you.

Speaker 15 (57:03):
Know, just put it out there, put it on the line.

Speaker 3 (57:05):
On Saturday, Coach, you brought up the men getting on
the podium. We know Division two men's is stacked. What's
it going to take to get on the podium.

Speaker 14 (57:15):
Gosh, they're going to be different than the women's race.
I mean, with the women, we just have to go
runner on race, just be us, just run. But I
do feel that a lot has to go right for
our men. I Mean, we ran really well in Riverside,
we decided to run in the open section. I pulled
them out of the invite section because I'm like, if
we want to run in the front as a pack

(57:37):
at Nationals, I want to do that in a race.

Speaker 15 (57:39):
So that's why we opted for the open section. In Riverside.
We ran very well.

Speaker 14 (57:44):
I mean we had our top two guys were twenty
five to fifteen, twenty five, thirty four, and then the
rest of our guys were within twenty seconds. So for us,
it's going to have to be a good race together.
A lot of things have to go right and just
put ourselves in position to take advantage to use our strengths,
which is our speed, and if we're there.

Speaker 15 (58:04):
With one k to go, I like our chances.

Speaker 2 (58:08):
So it's eight hundred kicks. Yeah, yeah, we'll be licking
their chops.

Speaker 3 (58:14):
Yeah, coach, thank you so much for your time, Rich
and I will be cheering for you this weekend. We
have a little bit of a soft spot in our
hearts for Arizona, so we'll be putting a little bit
extra push out there for you.

Speaker 15 (58:28):
Best of luck, awesome things. I appreciate it.

Speaker 14 (58:31):
Thank you guys.

Speaker 2 (58:31):
Have good day, sir, Safe travels, coach, best luck and
Fort Dodge thank you, take care, and now the grand finale,
the NJCAA Division One, where the nation's elite collide. On
the men's side, we've got the number one ranked Iowa
Western Community College Rivers from Council Bluffs, Iowa. The number
two ranked Hutchinson's Community College Blue Dragons at Hutchinson, Kansas,

(58:53):
and the number three ranked Iowa Central Community College Tritons
from Fort Dodge, Iowa. And the number four ranked New
Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds based in Hobbes, New Mexico. On
the women's side, it's another stacked field led by the
number two ranked i Western Rivers, the number three ranked
El Paso Community College Tejanos from El Paso, Texas, and

(59:14):
number four ranked New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds. Let's hear
from the coaches who built these national caliber programs and
get a final look at who's ready to make history
at the twenty twenty five NJCAA National Championships. Now joining
us from New Mexico Junior College located in Hobbes, New Mexico,
home of the Thunderbirds. The men and women's team both

(59:34):
come in ranked number four nationally. Coach Jeff Becker. Welcome
to Erry Rose Radio.

Speaker 3 (59:41):
Coach Becker, how are you doing, sir, good?

Speaker 6 (59:43):
How are you guys?

Speaker 3 (59:45):
Awesome? Thank you for joining us.

Speaker 8 (59:46):
Today, Yes, thank you, thank you for having me so coach.

Speaker 3 (59:51):
We know the men and women are both ranked fourth
right now. Who are the key runners on both sides
that we need to keep an eye out on.

Speaker 16 (59:58):
So on our women's side, we've been led all year
by Yadidia Bifa. She's undefeated so far this year. She
recently won our Region five championship in an outstanding time
of seventeen twelve. It was actually the fastest time recorded

(01:00:20):
on our course here in New Mexico. And so she's
she's definitely going to be our front runner there and
we're hoping that she does really, really well. We also
have a returning, another returning All American in a Mall Couturi,
and she's she started off the season a little slow,
she was injured early on, but she's probably the healthiest

(01:00:44):
she's been all season, and I'm looking for her to,
you know, be somewhere in that top top fifteen as well.
For our men, you know, one of our strengths I
think have been that you know, ever finished the same
five order at any of our meets. We've always had,

(01:01:06):
you know, a different top five, and uh, I think
that's made us a strong team these last couple of meets.
Mohammed Marahi has been probably our our top runner, who
is our top runner at the regionals finishing second. And

(01:01:28):
then right behind him we've had Emmanuel Camio who has
been a you know, he's he's been probably our most
consistent runner, being number two and number three for us
all year long. He finished as our second runner at Regionals,
and then right behind him has been brand Brian Cherriott,
who is was our top runner early on. So, you know,

(01:01:50):
I think on our men's side, you know, we could
go in any order with our top five.

Speaker 2 (01:01:57):
Coach Nationals were if we're Dodge back at twenty twenty,
we know some schools weren't able to attend that curious,
have you been at the course at all? And how
does a team match up specifically for for Dodge.

Speaker 16 (01:02:09):
Okay, So, uh, in twenty twenty, we weren't able to attend.
New Mexico was on a pretty tight lockdown at the time,
and we weren't able to leave the state to go
and participate. But I've been every other time they've hosted it,
so I think they've I don't want to quote this wrong,

(01:02:30):
but I think they've hosted maybe four other times. And
what I what I like. I guess it's kind of love. Hey,
I've told coach d Brown this, you know, I love
it because Iowa Central does a great job running the
meat off. They do an outstanding job. D does a

(01:02:51):
great job. He makes it a professional atmosphere for the
for the students. But being a Southern in school, we
don't like the cold weather in Iowa, you know, we
we definitely we don't. We don't like that, you know.

Speaker 15 (01:03:08):
But the the.

Speaker 16 (01:03:09):
Course itself, I feel like is a is a honest course.

Speaker 7 (01:03:14):
You know.

Speaker 16 (01:03:15):
We we like running it. The other times we've gone
up there, we like running the course. So I think
that'll that'll be you know, it'll be good. It'll be
a good course for everybody because I'm just I'm hoping
for some some uh some good weather and then you know,
we we've we've tried a little bit, you know, as
far as getting I called it to our team, I said,

(01:03:37):
you know, we're gonna do some uh Iowa weather training
and we would train early in the morning, you know,
because here in New Mexico in the desert, Uh, you know,
it can get cold in the morning sometimes, and so,
uh what, we've tried to do a lot of workouts
in the morning just to kind of get our mindset right,
you know, that that we can we can go up

(01:03:57):
there and we can compete on this course and and
uh you know, we can kind of run right there
with the rest of the teams.

Speaker 2 (01:04:04):
It's an extra long ice bass too, maybe.

Speaker 16 (01:04:07):
Yes, yes, yeah, we got we got a handful of
them that like doing that every week, so so that
they're getting used to.

Speaker 8 (01:04:15):
That and everything too.

Speaker 16 (01:04:16):
So nice, but you're you're exactly right about that.

Speaker 3 (01:04:20):
Coach, has the team got to travel out of state
to get some different weather or just those morning runs.

Speaker 16 (01:04:26):
We pretty much just those morning runs. Another another difference
in our schedule this year is we did travel up
to Riodoso, New Mexico, up in the mountains at the
beginning of October for a meet, and we tried to
we were hoping it would kind of be a little
bit cooler, but by race time it was already it

(01:04:48):
was already pretty warm, even up there in the mountains
of New Mexico. So we we did try we did
try a few other things. We didn't we didn't go
anywhere crazy, but uh, you know, we did try some
things to try to try to get used to that
weather and and uh and you know, be ready for it.

Speaker 3 (01:05:09):
So coach top four for both on the men and women.
What's going to take at the top of the podium,
bring home some hardware?

Speaker 16 (01:05:17):
You know, I I Uh, there's a lot of great
teams out there, as you guys know, and and uh,
you know, I think we we just we really need to,
you know, have that positive championship mindset where we're not
worried about the elements, we're not worried about anything else,
and you know, we go out there and and you know,
we perform like we've been doing all year. You know,

(01:05:41):
our guys, you know, we haven't we haven't lost to
another junior college team this year.

Speaker 11 (01:05:50):
You know.

Speaker 16 (01:05:50):
So I feel like we just need to have that
mindset that that we belong at the top, and you know,
we can go out there and can we can compete
with anybody. You know, there's a a lot of great
teams this year, you know, with with I know, Iowa
Western and hutch are really strong on the men, Iowa Central,
Butler there, there's a lot of a lot of teams

(01:06:12):
there that can do some great things. But I think
if we have the right mindset, you know, and just
kind of, you know, do what we're used to doing,
I think we've got a good shot at at being at.

Speaker 1 (01:06:26):
The top with women.

Speaker 16 (01:06:28):
Women are gonna be it's gonna it's gonna be tough.
You know, We're we're not quite as healthy as I
would have liked coming into Nationals on the women, especially
with knowing what a lot of these other schools have,
you know, with with you know, Odessa's has been amazing
this year, Iowa Western has been amazing. We we actually

(01:06:51):
we beat ol Passo early on this year and then
they they've just been coming on though, and they're they're
they're real hot right now and they're they're really running.

Speaker 6 (01:07:01):
Well right now.

Speaker 16 (01:07:02):
So you know, I think we can get in there
and compete with them, you know, and and you know,
you can't forget you know, some of those teams behind
us as well, you know, Hutchison and Southern Idaho. You
know that they're going to be strong in there as
well on the women's side. But but I think that

(01:07:22):
if we can go out there and just you know,
do what we've done all year long, I think we've
got it.

Speaker 1 (01:07:26):
We've got a shot.

Speaker 2 (01:07:29):
Coach, Will you just be focusing on the a K
and five K championships, we'd be sending a squad on
Tuesday for the half marathon.

Speaker 16 (01:07:36):
So we're we're our main focus is is obviously the
cross country, but we always we always do the half marathon.
We have for for many years, and you know, so
we'll have a we'll have a full group out there
for the for the half marathon championships. Ladies may be

(01:07:56):
a little bit thinner than than most years, uh, for
the for the half marathon, just with some of those
injuries that we've had. I think we'll have everybody going
and we're hopeful that we'll have everybody going for for
the cross country, but you know, I don't know if
we if we'll have a have everybody there for the
For the half marathon, we will have a full squad though,

(01:08:20):
for sure. And then with the man I think we're
gonna be strong in both places, strong with the eight
k and then also strong with the the half marathon
as well, and we should be to have all of
our top guys ready to go for that on on Tuesday.
Now that that that's one of them we're missing. In
twenty twenty, we kind of missed kind of how the

(01:08:40):
course is going to be for the half marathon. The
other times that we've been up there for Nationals, they
hadn't combined the sites yet for for half marathon and
for cross country where they were, you know, just at
the same side a few days apart, so we were
not on the course that they that they ran and
twenty twenty for the for the half marathon. But we'll

(01:09:04):
get up there and we'll get a look at it
after we get done with the cross country Nationals.

Speaker 3 (01:09:11):
Coach, is there anything about the Thunderbirds that we haven't
spoke about that you want the audience to know going
into Nationals?

Speaker 16 (01:09:18):
You know, we've we've covered most of it, I think,
But you know, we're just like I said, we're just
gonna try to go out there and do our best,
and and you know, we wish all the all the
coaches and the teams, you know, the best out there,
and and we're just gonna go out there and compete
and we'll see what happens.

Speaker 12 (01:09:36):
Well.

Speaker 3 (01:09:37):
Coach Becker, thank you for your time today, greatly appreciate
it and best luck to you and the Thunderbirds on Saturday.

Speaker 16 (01:09:45):
All right, well, thank you guys very much for having me.

Speaker 2 (01:09:47):
Absolutely safe travels the fourth Dodge coach, thank you, take
care now joining us from El Paso Community College in
El Paso, Texas, home of the Tahinos. The women's team
is currently ranked third in the country. Coach Felix Heinosa,
Welcome to Aery Brose Radio.

Speaker 5 (01:10:04):
Hey, coach, Hey, how you doing good?

Speaker 2 (01:10:06):
Her?

Speaker 3 (01:10:07):
Are you sir?

Speaker 5 (01:10:08):
I'm nice. It's a good thing right now.

Speaker 3 (01:10:10):
So, coach, the women's team is currently ranked third right
now in the rankings. Who are the key runners that
we need to keep an eye out on going into nationals?

Speaker 5 (01:10:20):
Well, definitely uhnam Oes, Nessu Mabuka showhm for Zimbabwe. She
looks pretty strong. You look also at Antonio Rono and
Faith row Titch. They're coming along pretty strong also, I think,
plus all the other people that are flying right now
from other schools.

Speaker 3 (01:10:39):
So what's the mentality as far as the team game
plan going into nationals? Is it get that little stick
or is it a pac mentality?

Speaker 5 (01:10:48):
It's a pac mentality. It's we emphasize competitiveness. You know,
it just depends on who shows up on what day
and what race. You could have a number one ranked
team and the guys don't show up.

Speaker 1 (01:11:00):
They're not firing on.

Speaker 5 (01:11:01):
Also there's the ladies, aren't they It's nasty. So for us,
it's a pac mentality going after some really tough teams.
I mean Odessa, New Mexico Junior College, Iowa Western, and
never leave out Iowa Central either.

Speaker 2 (01:11:19):
Coach. We know the course was the meat was hosted
by Fort Iowa Central and Ford Dodge in twenty twenty.
We know a lot of teams weren't able to make
it because of that COVID restrictions. Have you had an
opportunity at some point to see the course and how
does a team match up?

Speaker 5 (01:11:36):
I've kind of googled the course, but I have the
utmost confidence in Coach Brown. He's an excellent coach and
also an excellent race organizer, so I know that he's
going to do the right thing. You know, it's a
when you look at a course, everybody runs the same course,
everybody runs in the same altitude, and everybody has to

(01:11:57):
deal with the same weather. So it's just you know,
let's get it down, let's get out there, and let's just.

Speaker 2 (01:12:02):
Race with that big said, everyone has to run in
the same weather. There are some teams that might be
a little bit more familiar than with the Iowa weather
than maybe you know, Paso, Texas. Have you done anything special,
maybe some extra long ice bass or anything like that,
just in case it is a little chili And for Dodge.

Speaker 5 (01:12:20):
On Saturday, well, we tend to practice. We moved our
practices up to about five am just to get that
cold weather mentality. But you know, it's just like, well
it is what it is.

Speaker 3 (01:12:31):
Yeah, I like that mindset, Coach. I appreciate that. What's
it going to take to get to the top of
the podium this year.

Speaker 5 (01:12:40):
It's going to take a lot of competitive running and
everybody running for each other team wise, and everybody counts.
Every runner counts there. So we got to go out
and we got to hammer it. And like I tell
my team, I need twenty minutes of your best effort.
Walk away from the race knowing that this is all
you had, and I'll be happy with that that the
chips fault where they may.

Speaker 3 (01:13:02):
Coach, I appreciate, Sorry, Rich, I appreciate your mindset that
everyone counts, you know, bringing the team together and getting
that group effort in there. That's what makes.

Speaker 5 (01:13:11):
Champions absolutely absolutely.

Speaker 2 (01:13:15):
Coach, how do you get the kids to buy into
that mindset that it's it's it is a team sport
and it is the team and all everyone matters and
everyone is important to the overall final outcome.

Speaker 5 (01:13:28):
Well, first and the most important thing is you got
to find the right fit athletes. Twice you're going to
that they fit the program and that they're pliable to
understanding that this is a team sport, that everybody counts
and if one and if we win as a team,
you know, everybody wins, right and it's just a continuous

(01:13:50):
as you begin from the first day in August to
the last day in November. You know, it's it's you're
all on a lifeboat and you all got to pull
together and work together to get to that island. You
know that podium finish.

Speaker 3 (01:14:03):
Coach, you mentioned that lifeboat and everyone having to pull
together to get to that island. Do you have any
ever had any issues with kids? You know, this is
an individual sport. I'm not here for the team, or
do they all tend to buy in they.

Speaker 5 (01:14:17):
All buy in. Every once in a while we got
to readjust someone's thinking, you know, give them the broader picture.
And if you could sit down on a one on
one to every athlete and let them know that, hey,
you matter, the team matters also, So yeah, a lot
of times they say, yeah's goo for it, coach.

Speaker 3 (01:14:38):
We love that mindset. Over here at Area Bros. Radio.
We know on Tuesday there's going to be a half
marathon championship. Are you all going to be suiting up
for that?

Speaker 5 (01:14:48):
Absolutely? We love the long distance. I love that long distance.

Speaker 3 (01:14:52):
You know.

Speaker 5 (01:14:54):
I tell my teams the cross country is the warm
up for the big race on Tuesdays, So let's do
it right.

Speaker 3 (01:15:00):
Has there been any specific training for the half marathon
or is it all the same training?

Speaker 5 (01:15:05):
Well, no, it's different. It's a it's a really difficult
training pattern. You've got to have the speed of a
five k and an eight k and then the endurance
and speed of a twenty one k, so you're continuously
it's like a lego plan. Moving there is moving back.
Make sure that we've got the distance in our uh
in our program, and make sure that we have the
speed and and you know, it's it's a I'd like

(01:15:28):
to I'd like for someone to write a manual on
that one man I'd like to read it.

Speaker 3 (01:15:33):
There you go, Coach, there's your book. Coach, is there
anything about the team that we haven't covered that you
want the audience to know?

Speaker 5 (01:15:44):
I think that along with our team and all the
other all the other teams that are going out there,
I think they're all well learned it. They're they're tough.
They're tough. I mean, there's no fun getting up at
five in the morning, all right, and it's it's no
fun at all. But they commit themselves and we commit
to them, and I think that all the people that
are there deserve to be there, and you know, should
have a great race.

Speaker 2 (01:16:05):
Coach, we wish you the best of luck, and for Dodge,
we hope you have safe travels all the way from
El Paso, Texas. We will be watching very closely and
intently on Saturday. The junior college experience and the junior
college system is something that's very near and dear to
Jimmy and I's heart. We were both junior college all
Americans myself and cross country Jimmy and wrestling. That is

(01:16:26):
why we do this. We want people to know more
about the benefits and how powerful and impactful the junior
college system can be. So best to luck to you
and all your athletes, and we'll be following closely on Saturday.

Speaker 5 (01:16:39):
Thank you very much, and I really appreciate you guys
doing that along with Coach Brown kind of setting everything up.
I think it's awesome.

Speaker 3 (01:16:46):
Thank you coach, Thanks for all you do. Best of luck.

Speaker 5 (01:16:49):
Thank you so much.

Speaker 1 (01:16:50):
We'll see you there. See take care now.

Speaker 2 (01:16:52):
Joining us from Iowa Western Community College and Council Bluffs, Iowa,
home of the Rivers. The men's team is ranked number
one in the women's team sits number two nationally. Coach
Mark Bierbaum, Welcome to aery Rose Radio.

Speaker 6 (01:17:05):
Are we doing good?

Speaker 3 (01:17:07):
Great?

Speaker 2 (01:17:07):
How are you doing?

Speaker 17 (01:17:08):
Season's going well, it's going well, it's going well. It
you know, we we've trained hard and we've done what
we needed to do, and yeah, it's going well.

Speaker 3 (01:17:19):
Coach or the man are sitting at number one, the
women are sitting at number two. Who are some of
the key individuals we need to keep an eye on.

Speaker 17 (01:17:26):
Yeah, on the men's side, Jeoffrey and we call him Geo,
and Barnabas Jim and Barney have have had a wonderful year.
They've been one two everywhere we've been, they've flip flopped.
They've had a couple of times where they've talked to
each other before the finish line, I feel like deciding
on who's gonna win. That's been an interesting thing for

(01:17:47):
those two. But those two, for sure have been a
huge part of our men's success for the whole time.
They'll graduate in December, and they've been a part of
this program, in the front front end of this program.

Speaker 6 (01:18:03):
For for all two years.

Speaker 17 (01:18:04):
On the girls side, Juliana has been our rock solid
leader at the front, coming off a tremendous track season
last year, winning seven national titles, and.

Speaker 6 (01:18:17):
You know, she's she's been a key leader for us.

Speaker 3 (01:18:21):
So going into nationals, is it get that low stick
or is it that pack mentality?

Speaker 6 (01:18:27):
So it's been both for us really the men.

Speaker 17 (01:18:32):
We've been kind of chasing this thing for a couple
of years on the men's side, and it's either been
we haven't had front running or we haven't had the lows,
you know, or having had the pack or having had
a five. We have a little bit of all of it.
We we have a little bit of foot speed. We
we have the front running, we have pack, we have depth.
It's it's kind of an all around team effort on

(01:18:53):
that aspect. On the girls side, the pack is a
huge part Juliana as you and that'll be great where
wherever she finishes up front, but where our pack ends
up finishing is where is how we'll do.

Speaker 2 (01:19:08):
Coach. You know, you guys have probably seen the course
at Fourth Dodge, and I think regionals were there last week.
What are your thoughts on the course and are there
any key decisive points on the course where we might
see some moves on Saturday morning.

Speaker 17 (01:19:23):
It's a true cross country course, I really it's. It's
got some turns, it's got ups and downs, not anything
incredibly crazy hill wise, but uh uh, it's It's not
a fast, you know, racetrack by any means. It's got
some honest running to it. Kind of old school cross

(01:19:44):
country to a point a little bit, you know, golf
course though.

Speaker 6 (01:19:47):
It's nothing crazy rough, but I've seen a lot of
things on it.

Speaker 17 (01:19:53):
Well, I've I watched one before when I was recruiting,
and then I've been a part of one as a coach.
As a coach post COVID COVID, uh. There's a couple
of different ways that I think people can get it done.
I that finishes is a very good finish.

Speaker 6 (01:20:08):
It can be.

Speaker 17 (01:20:11):
I was just there for State the last two days,
watching the high school meet there.

Speaker 6 (01:20:16):
It can be really fast.

Speaker 17 (01:20:17):
It has not ran incredibly fast the years they've they've
run run it there. The top twenty list on both
sides is not incredibly fast. But the weather hasn't been great,
you know, so I think the weather could could play
a factor. Just you know, a lot of a lot
of kids haven't seen cold weather like Fort Dodge can bring,

(01:20:39):
and and and whatnot. So I don't have a lot
of answers to to that. I you know, I think
the back corner can get a little lonely, and there's
some up and downs and some tight turns that could
that could play part.

Speaker 6 (01:20:53):
In it.

Speaker 2 (01:20:55):
Is the weather much different in Council Bluffs th and
Fort Dodgers relatively similar.

Speaker 17 (01:20:59):
It can be different, you know, they could be ten
fifteen degrees different. I think d gets a little bit
more snow and ice than we do during the wintertime
as well, So yeah, it can be. I've watched it
over the last couple of days, it's kind of went
up and down. It was sixty there for a bit,
then it was fifty two, and last time I checked

(01:21:19):
it was fifty.

Speaker 6 (01:21:19):
Six with a little chance of rain.

Speaker 17 (01:21:23):
I know, I think some people want it to be
cold to equalize the some of the you know, the
African Front running. I think we're finding either way, all
of our kids have been here through winter already and
they've run in some cold, and you know, it's everybody's
got to deal with it.

Speaker 2 (01:21:43):
Are the men feeling the pressure of the number one
ranking or they come cool and collective, ready to just
get down the business.

Speaker 6 (01:21:50):
If they do, I don't see it. I think they're
just ready to run.

Speaker 17 (01:21:54):
We've really just we went out to South Dakota for
across country camp and talked about control the controllables and
that kind of week of talking about that whatnot set
the tone for just our main goal is just being it,
you know, be in it at the end. And I
think that we've done a great job in practice and

(01:22:14):
in training to do just that. You know, we be
in the mix, and we'll see what that day gives us,
and and uh, go get it.

Speaker 6 (01:22:25):
Try to get over that hump.

Speaker 3 (01:22:27):
Well, coach, you mentioned that hump. What's it going to
take to get to the top of the podium on
the men's and the top of the podium on the women's.

Speaker 17 (01:22:35):
At men's side, we tried, you know, we've we've been
second twice, we've been third ones over the last couple
of years. And you know, I think everybody, everybody's got
to say, there's a little bit of luck in there
for everyone, right being being good on the right day,
you know, showing up on the right day, and and

(01:22:55):
and just being smart and not not overthinking it. And
we've talked about that too, not overthinking it's a race,
it's another race. We've been in a couple we've been
in some good ones, and we just got to go
in there and do who we are. You know, the
men have we talked about that a ton. On the ladies,
it's been a little bit more up and down. We

(01:23:17):
had some ankle sprains, we've had some sickness. We've never
we haven't really been together in one race I think
only once all year, and so we just similar to guys,
we've got to be who we are, which we're talented
and whatnot. We just got to bring it all together
at one point, and the girls. It hasn't been as

(01:23:39):
clean cut as the guys on that side of it.

Speaker 2 (01:23:42):
Coach, you know you guys have done the half marathon
in the past and done well. Are you guys solely
focused on the a K Championships and the five K
Championships across country? We'll be seeing the rivers on the
line on Tuesday.

Speaker 17 (01:23:55):
So I love the half marathon. I think it is
an absolute amazing event. A team team competition, half marathon awesome.
Sold I When I was recruiting JUCO and I found
out about it, I went to a couple of them
just because Dana, we were a marathon school when I
was in college and I ran the marathon myself.

Speaker 6 (01:24:13):
So sold.

Speaker 17 (01:24:14):
We'll get on that line for sure. You know, I'm
excited about it. We haven't talked a ton about it.
Eight k's the focus. When cross is over, when Saturday
is over, we'll talk about it. We've thrown a couple
things out just to talk just say it, but we
really I've avoided having any type of major conversations about it.
We'll have a couple extra guys that won't run on

(01:24:35):
Saturday that'll run on Tuesday.

Speaker 6 (01:24:38):
That we've talked a.

Speaker 17 (01:24:38):
Little bit more about it and some pace and things
like that, but we'll wait till the eight k's over,
and on Sunday when we get back, we're going up
and back. We're only two and a half hours away,
so when we get back, we'll let cross settle and
Sunday we'll meet and talk about it a little bit
and kind of refocus on that little bit. And that's

(01:25:01):
what we did last year too. We went to d
C after the race last last year in Virginia and
took in the sights and then when we got back
that night Sunday and Monday, we.

Speaker 6 (01:25:11):
Talked about the half and kind of refocused. We're excited
the man won last year, and I think we got.

Speaker 17 (01:25:17):
A really good shot of doing some good things again
this year, obviously with Barney Back who broke the national record,
and Geo, who is a much I think different runner
than he was last year and got some depth behind him,
and Julian I.

Speaker 6 (01:25:31):
Putting her on the line should be fun.

Speaker 17 (01:25:33):
She's the GONA national record holder in the half marathon,
so put her on the line and let her get
after something a little bit longer.

Speaker 3 (01:25:40):
It'll be fun too when it comes to the half marathon.
Once the mindset is it, oh, this is kind of secondary,
let's go have fun or are they there to compete?

Speaker 1 (01:25:50):
Both?

Speaker 17 (01:25:51):
For me, it's both. We want to compete because we
do want to win. We're competitive. I think our whole
group is. But we're all so so cross is the
focus and it always will be. And so with the half, yeah,
we want to win that it's another opportunity to win something,
but have some fun at it.

Speaker 2 (01:26:11):
We're not We're not.

Speaker 6 (01:26:12):
Taking it crazy serious where we're just going.

Speaker 17 (01:26:15):
In there go oh, we gotta do this, we gotta
do this, we gotta do this, get after it, have
a little fun, be smart, have a good experience with it,
and if it turns out to be something successful at
the end suite.

Speaker 2 (01:26:29):
Coach anything this week special for the Nationals week? Are
we going to see some new uniforms or anything like that.

Speaker 6 (01:26:38):
No, No, business as usual.

Speaker 17 (01:26:41):
We got a couple of new We got some split
new split shorts about halfway through the season that the
kids love. I'll bring my daughters out, that's the plan.
We'll miss some soccer games and bring them out. They
went with us to Gan's Creek and they were doing
stride outs with you and all that we won't be
able to do that this year or you know, at
Nationals or whatever. But my girls love the team and

(01:27:02):
the team loves them. And we did parent teacher conferences
and we do pancakes and waffles and stuff at my
house for breakfast some weekends, and my daughter was asked,
my youngest was asked to write a memory that was
their assignment, and the teacher shared it with us at
parents teacher conferences. The memory was all about having breakfast

(01:27:24):
with the kids and having an opportunity to make pancakes
for them. She gets to flip the pancakes and and
that that is every bit of everything for me. I
just reading it made me smile and proud because that's
family is a big part of what I've tried to
build here and having my girls be a part of

(01:27:45):
it and see it and be around it.

Speaker 6 (01:27:46):
And they talked about the culture.

Speaker 17 (01:27:48):
She talked about the culture and learning things from them,
and it's so much fun. And so that wasn't really
answering the question you gave, but it made me think
of it. Having my girls there will be some and
special for me.

Speaker 2 (01:28:01):
You have some future superstars in the making.

Speaker 6 (01:28:04):
I hope.

Speaker 17 (01:28:04):
So I have my sixth grader, they get they let
the sixth graders run with the junior high She ran
cross country.

Speaker 6 (01:28:09):
She chose to do it, and and she liked it.
She enjoyed it.

Speaker 17 (01:28:12):
So I'm hoping, you know, we ran they they me
and those two We ran the loop of the course
at gans Creek during the pre race and that was
a lot of fun. You know, they got to see
Hilda Florida was there and we'll probably go back up
for d one to watch her again. And it's just
fun to have them around it and see it. And

(01:28:34):
you know, I'm not just not just dad gone all
the time. You know, this is why, and this is
who and all.

Speaker 3 (01:28:39):
That excellent coach. Is there anything about the team going
into the championships that we haven't covered that you want
the audience to know?

Speaker 6 (01:28:52):
I love this group. It's just it's it's been easy. Really.

Speaker 17 (01:28:58):
We have put in some big work and they have
done it with a smile and enjoyed it and have
really worked hard and have been really just having fun
doing it. And I'm excited to just see it all
come together and have you know, God willing come out

(01:29:22):
the right way for us and and and see the
smiles and the excitement of all the hard work showing right.

Speaker 3 (01:29:32):
Well, coach, we are excited to see it all come
together as well. Thank you so much for joining us.
We're gonna have to get you on after the season.
Catch you up. We talked to you all day, you
know that. Thank you so much for your time on
a Sunday.

Speaker 17 (01:29:47):
Absolutely absolutely, guys, thank you.

Speaker 2 (01:29:52):
Now joining us from Iowa Central Community College before Dodge, Iowa,
home of the Tritons and the host of the meet.
The men's team is right third in Division one standing's
coach d Brown, Welcome to Aerry Brose Radio.

Speaker 3 (01:30:04):
How you doing, sir? Heard you had a busy weekend.

Speaker 1 (01:30:07):
My hair is grayer. I think.

Speaker 6 (01:30:08):
I don't know, it's just there's so much going.

Speaker 3 (01:30:12):
On, Coach Brown. The men's team is currently ranked third
in the nation.

Speaker 1 (01:30:19):
Is that all?

Speaker 3 (01:30:20):
That's all? Who do we have to keep an eye
out on going into nationals?

Speaker 18 (01:30:30):
I would say, you know, that's a great question, because
we have five guys that are all really amazing. And
when Mark hears this, no, I won't say they got
lucky because they all ran well, but one of our
guys just did not have a great race, and if
he had been running where he had always been, it

(01:30:50):
would have been less than four point victory for them
at the regional meet. So you know, our team was
pretty disappointed after regionals because they just they were gunning.
They really wanted to get this and so you know what,
we got another shot. Like, don't worry two weeks home course,
we're right back here. So you know, our top two
guys have been Shakib and Sufian, They've always been up

(01:31:13):
there for us. Taha was the man that is typically
like our third guy and ended up being our fifth
guy or maybe even sixth guy. I'm not even sure now.
You know, he just just couldn't hold it together that day.
But and then the twins Sad and said are very consistent.
Sod was actually just coming off in illness, so he
was just trying to get back into the swing of

(01:31:34):
things with like a chess cold.

Speaker 1 (01:31:35):
So you know, we.

Speaker 18 (01:31:36):
Feel really good about where we're at. Third is a
great place to be, so no one has to be
looking at us, and we're looking ahead and ready to
rock and roll.

Speaker 1 (01:31:45):
So we're we're excited for tomorrow.

Speaker 2 (01:31:48):
Could you mentioned the home course advantage. You know we've
talked to a bunch of coaches and we've talked about
the win can be a factor. Some of the teams
didn't weren't able to make it up until But what
are some of the key points on the course, where
where might we see some pivotal moves being made for
both the men and the women.

Speaker 18 (01:32:08):
You know, it's it's interesting when we talk about our
course because I've talked to a lot of people about
this lately. We just hosted the state meet Friday Saturday.
It's a two day meet here in Iowa. Two classes
each day. It was sunny for a little bit, but
then cold and windy and so and that wind was
was definitely a factor in it. And I'm hoping it

(01:32:28):
doesn't get too warm because you know, I want it
to be brutal.

Speaker 1 (01:32:31):
I wanted to the.

Speaker 18 (01:32:32):
Toughest one out there, who brings their a game on
Saturday is who's gonna win. So you know it's for
the men. It's a two loop course essentially, you know,
two four k loops. I would say, personally, being from
the midwestern Iowa, there's only one hill. If you're not
from Iowa, you might say there's maybe three hills on
each loop. So uh, you know, I think once we

(01:32:55):
get past that first loop, you know, they're kind of
coming up the hill after the first loop to reloop
into the second half of the course. I think you're
gonna see some people really start getting after it at
that point because it kind of levels out for a
while before you get into a few more hills. But
I think it's that second loop is where people are
gonna try to separate the men from the boys type
thing in that guy's.

Speaker 2 (01:33:15):
Race we've heard. Even though it is on a golf course,
it is a true cross country course.

Speaker 18 (01:33:20):
Oh yeah, I really think like this is an average course.
It's not flat and it's not super hilly. It's got
a little of everything. So yep, it's a great golf course.

Speaker 1 (01:33:32):
You know.

Speaker 18 (01:33:32):
The terrain might not be like super level on the flats,
but you know there's some little bit of slanted slopes
in a couple different places. But it's a great course,
you know. And we've hosted the state cross country MEETIA
I think for thirty three years now, and so I'm
happy to be there. It's a tonnel work and I
never want to do it again after we do it

(01:33:54):
every year, but like I'm happy to have it. I'm
happy to have all these teams come here. It's gonna
be It's gonna be great. Like I want to put
on the biggest, greatest event for all these kids, you know,
just to come out and experience a championship atmosphere and
just enjoy themselves, you know, have a great Friday night
of dinner and awards and taking lots of pictures and

(01:34:16):
you know, being.

Speaker 1 (01:34:17):
Laid back and enjoying it.

Speaker 18 (01:34:18):
And then Saturday, come out with you know, the focus
on the race, face on and go out there and
just have a great day.

Speaker 1 (01:34:24):
So I can't wait.

Speaker 2 (01:34:27):
Now, will you get to be a coach on race
day or will you be wearing your meat director hat?

Speaker 18 (01:34:35):
Probably not, honestly, Like, and that's the that's the biggest downfall.
Like I love hosting, I love doing I love doing
this for other people. It's very, very taxing. It's a
ton of work because I just everything in my life.
When I do it, I do it as good as
I can. I bite off more than I can chew
because I want it to be awesome, any better than
last time. So like the last two weeks, honestly, leading

(01:34:59):
up to Saturday, my team doesn't see me hardly at all.
I feel terrible about that, but I trust my assistant
coach enough, and I warned him in the beginning of
the year, like there's gonna be days where I'm just
not going to be able to be there. I mean,
like random ridiculous meetings all day long for this, that
and the other thing, you know, calling suppliers, trying to
find out where this is, where that is, you know,

(01:35:21):
meeting with people on campus, trying to make sure we
got all the you know, work orders in and and
things requested and just whatever it is. And so these
last two weeks, I've I might have been at practice
one day.

Speaker 1 (01:35:32):
Maybe I don't.

Speaker 18 (01:35:33):
Even know if I was at a team meeting, you know,
we do all a team meeting for the entire track
and cross country team, you know, maybe once a month.
So I was able to make that, but it's it's tough.
So I'll be cheering, but I'll be busy all day
long too.

Speaker 3 (01:35:48):
Coach, you said, you guys are right where you need
to be. Ice forward. Yes, the top teams are looking forward,
they're not looking back at you. What's it going to
take to get to the top of the podium for them.

Speaker 18 (01:36:01):
To keep looking forward and not looking back at us.
You know, I don't want to see anybody have a
bad race. I want to see every team at their best,
you know. I want to see seven healthy guys on
every team that's up there, just fighting it out, everyone
having a great day head to head, you know. And
that's how any team I think wants to win. They
want to win beating someone at their best, not beating

(01:36:22):
someone when they're a man down or a person short
or whatever it is. So, you know, for us to
to be where we want to be, like if we
get on the podium, we're going to be thankful, We're
going to be happy. Obviously, we want to be a
little bit higher, you know. And their goals, their goals
are at the top. That's where they want. Those guys
are very focused. They've been talking about this all year.

Speaker 1 (01:36:42):
You know.

Speaker 18 (01:36:42):
We had about a two week stretch mid season where
almost I think six of the top seven or five
of the seven we're all either sick or hurt with
something and like not even running. So that was really
a big setback mentally and emotionally. But I think we
we've overcome that and Regionals is a great wake up

(01:37:04):
call and put them on high alert, like, yep, there's
we can't let up even a little bit, Like we
have to be ready to rock and roll, and they
will be.

Speaker 2 (01:37:14):
Will you be rocking and rolling on Tuesday as well?

Speaker 18 (01:37:17):
I'm gonna be rocking. I've been rocking and rolling for
like three months straight. Yes, yes, we will. We'll be
having some fun.

Speaker 2 (01:37:24):
You know.

Speaker 18 (01:37:25):
The half marathons it's an interesting beast because, you know,
not every athlete looks forward to it as much as
as every other athlete, you know, especially when you have
a lot of mid distance type people on your cross
country team and they think, oh, ak, that's that's the longest.

Speaker 1 (01:37:43):
I ever want to run in my life. And you're like,
now we're gonna let's go out and have some fun.

Speaker 18 (01:37:48):
And that's the thing too, like we want to be competitive,
but let's have some fun. Let's just go out and
run it. Because once you're in it, you know, five miles,
ten miles, and now all of a sudden, you're like,
wait a minute, there's only you know this many people ahead.
Let's go get them, you know. So I think if
they just go out there and run together like they
do all the time, have fun, I think they might

(01:38:09):
catch that bug and like try to because I mean
no doubt about it. The group of guys we have
right now, they're very talented, very very talented. They've already
accomplished a lot of things this past track season. So
I think, you know, that would be a great way
to finish out the fall season.

Speaker 1 (01:38:25):
Here for us. So we're gonna have fun no matter what.

Speaker 2 (01:38:30):
Well, we're gonna have fun watching. Yes, we wish we
could be there to have fun too.

Speaker 3 (01:38:34):
Same well, Coach, thank you for giving us this opportunity.
I know we can't be there, but you've allowed us
to partake in the banquet and be a part of it.
So thank you so much for the opportunity. And for
a man who's been going hard, you got plenty of energy.

Speaker 18 (01:38:52):
Yeah, thank you guys, because honestly, like I said, bigger
and better every year, this is huge, Like this is huge.
Having you guys a part of this on Friday night,
for us, having runner Space live stream our event on Saturday.
Those are two amazing things that I hope can be
added on a consistent basis to what we do promoting

(01:39:14):
the NJCAA, our junior college athletes who go on to
become some of the best NCAA athletes as well, you know.

Speaker 1 (01:39:20):
And for some of the kids, this is it.

Speaker 18 (01:39:22):
This is the top of the mountain form and so
go out with a bang and have this great experience
of you know, checking out this podcast and being live stream. Like,
thank you guys for helping work with me to make
this be a great option for everybody.

Speaker 2 (01:39:35):
So absolutely, it's an honor we As we've said before,
the NJCAA and the junior college system is near and
dear to our heart, and whenever we can be a
part of it and help grow it and promote it,
you can count on us. Excellent coach, Get some sleep,
rest up, get ready for I guess maybe it starts

(01:39:56):
Thursday Friday festivities and yeah, yeah, we'll excited to watch
on runer space on Saturday.

Speaker 1 (01:40:02):
Awesome. Yep, I'll be sleeping on the twelfth. Okay, okay,
I'm going to bet on the twelfth.

Speaker 2 (01:40:08):
Thanks guys, appreciate you now joining us from Hutchinson Community
College in Hutchinson, Kansas, home of the Blue Dragons. The
men's team is ranked number two in the nation. Coach
Jaffette Molnaris, Welcome Harry Browse Radio.

Speaker 7 (01:40:19):
How you guys doing great.

Speaker 19 (01:40:21):
How are you got a good long time? No see, yeah,
congrats to you, yeah, thank you, thank you.

Speaker 7 (01:40:26):
It was a fun day.

Speaker 3 (01:40:29):
Well, Jafet, we know if I'm talking to you a
couple of weeks ago, who to look out for? But
the men are currently ranked number two in the country.
Tell our audience who the fans of Area Bros. Radio
need to be watching when it comes to the men's
race this Saturday.

Speaker 19 (01:40:44):
Yeah, all right, Uh so everybody is obviously going to
play a pretty big piece. But you know, our top
two guys, uh you know, Cornelius Koco and Titus kip
ro Titch, those guys are are two that I'm hoping
and you know, could be our low stick, so hopefully
flirting in that top five.

Speaker 3 (01:41:03):
So you talk about that low stick, is it just
a low stick or you got that pack mentality as well? Yeah?

Speaker 19 (01:41:10):
Yeah, our three four, our three is finally coming along.
I think he's gonna, you know, snap when it really matters.
And you know, our three four in a pretty good spot,
and five is finally coming around and put some pretty
good meets together. But we just haven't gone out there
as quick as we should have, you know, And I
think this time around. You know, we'll put ourselves in

(01:41:32):
a good position early and I think he'll be ready
to help us out as our number five. And then
you know, honestly, our five could also be our number six.
So you know our number six, uh, kind of what
I mentioned before. You know, he was an All American
last year and he's finally coming around and just had
a really good workout, so he potentially might be number five.
And so we have some pretty good depth between uh

(01:41:54):
one through six.

Speaker 2 (01:41:54):
Honestly, coach, what your scouting report on the course. Have
you been able to preview it at all at any point?
And how does the team match up with the terrain?

Speaker 12 (01:42:08):
Right?

Speaker 3 (01:42:09):
So?

Speaker 19 (01:42:09):
Yeah, I mean pretty lucky where I actually, you know,
ran it quite a few times when I was an
athlete and went back there another year to watch nationals,
and yeah, so I know exactly what it looks like.
We you know, we've been talking about it quite a bit,
and you know, spots where we could definitely make a
move and you know, where I feel like it fits us.

Speaker 7 (01:42:28):
And but yeah, so know what it looks like.

Speaker 19 (01:42:32):
Uh, you know, a team had doesn't but as far
as you know map and kind of spots that I
pointed out, you know, they you know, we're pretty familiar
a little.

Speaker 7 (01:42:40):
Bit, but how do we match up?

Speaker 19 (01:42:43):
I think it fits us pretty well, just as far
as the training we've done. Uh, you know, we're a
higher mileage program, and you know we've done a lot
of training to kind of stimulate this type of race.

Speaker 7 (01:42:52):
So I think we're in a pretty good spot.

Speaker 3 (01:42:57):
Coach, speaking of that training and being in that good spot,
is there any concern around the weather or are you
guys pretty similar in Kansas?

Speaker 19 (01:43:07):
Yeah, I mean it's probably just a you know, a
few degrees colder all the time, I bet over there.
But no, I mean we'll be fine. You know, even
this morning. I mean our long run was you know,
when we started, it was about forty degrees. So you know,
I don't think it'll be anything too ridiculous on that day.

Speaker 7 (01:43:25):
I mean, at least.

Speaker 19 (01:43:26):
Looking at the weather, I think probably high of mid
fifty fives maybe, and you know, running at twelve o'clock
at one o'clock, I don't think it will be too bad.

Speaker 7 (01:43:34):
I hope.

Speaker 19 (01:43:34):
I guess the bigger concern is probably the wind out there, and.

Speaker 7 (01:43:38):
You know, we'll see. I guess we'll see on that day.

Speaker 3 (01:43:41):
So, so what's the thoughts of getting to the top
of the podium.

Speaker 19 (01:43:45):
Yeah, of course that's the goal, you know, But yeah,
within scouting report and looking at what everybody has, you know,
everybody has a good combination of things, you know. I think, iow,
Western has a good one two punch up there, and
then you know they got some decent depth. But then
you have teams like Io CenTra. I'd say that, you know,

(01:44:05):
their top four is really strong, and then you know
you have teams like myself and in New Mexico that
I think has a good balance of both of you know,
guys that could be low sticks and some decent depth,
and then who else and Butler obviously, I mean you
know they they gave us, uh, you know, a really

(01:44:27):
good battle at regionals and those guys same thing. I
think they have a really good four and their five
has been coming along. I think if you know he
could move up, then you know there'll be a threat
to So to be honest with you, I think anybody
in that top five could win it. I don't think
there's a clear favorite, you know, I don't think anybody
thinks there is. So I think that's the exciting part

(01:44:48):
about this race usually you know, you probably have your
one team or two teams, but I honestly believe that
anybody in the top five could win it.

Speaker 2 (01:44:58):
Coach anything different, going down this week as your business
as usual?

Speaker 19 (01:45:03):
Yeah, No, keeping keeping things as regular as possible, honestly, Yeah,
just trying to keep yeah, honestly, Yeah, the same scheduling.
You know, still going to lift this week and you know,
keeping the mileage where it needs to be at and yeah,
just trying to sharpen up when it matters. But honestly, yeah,
just regular, regular business.

Speaker 2 (01:45:22):
And is it is the sole focused the a K
and the five K championships or will you all be
telling the line on Tuesday as well?

Speaker 7 (01:45:29):
Yeah? No, just a cross country. It's a pretty hard turnaround.

Speaker 19 (01:45:32):
And you know, I enjoy that they you know, still
host it and you know, still have it, but for us,
it just doesn't fit us quite honestly. But yeah, everybody
has their prefer you know, their own preference in what
they do and what they.

Speaker 7 (01:45:50):
Decide for that. But well, we'll head back to hutch
after Saturday.

Speaker 19 (01:45:57):
You guys driving up, Yeah, yeah, we'll head up on Wednesday,
will actually stay in Omaha and then drive It's four
hours to Omaha, Uh, stay the night, you know, then
drive up to Fort Dodge. I think that's about three hours.
So I'm kind of spread out that drive a little bit, Thank.

Speaker 3 (01:46:14):
You, fat Is there anything about the team going into
the national Championships that we haven't asked that you want
our audience to know?

Speaker 7 (01:46:22):
Yeah?

Speaker 19 (01:46:22):
I think our girls, you know, our girls, you know,
I think started the year off at you know, fifteenth, tenth, eleventh,
and you know, two weeks ago or on the polls,
I should say it was eighth, and then after a
pretty good performance at regionals, are ranked fifth, and I
think within finally getting our number three back, and.

Speaker 7 (01:46:40):
How she's looking, I think we could.

Speaker 19 (01:46:42):
I think that podium is going to be a pretty
big challenge, you know, I think that'd be you know, optimistic,
but I think as long as we could flirt in
there in that top five, and I.

Speaker 7 (01:46:50):
Think that's a pretty good goal for us.

Speaker 19 (01:46:52):
And even within all that, you know, we have a
lady in Mildred Reno that I think can compete for
a national championship. So yeah, uh, you know, our girls
are looking just as competitive, and especially having an individual
that could potentially whin it's pretty exciting, but yeah, that's
pretty much it.

Speaker 3 (01:47:10):
Well, we're excited for the Blue Dragons. We know you
guys are going to do big things. So thank you
so much for your time in best of lux there.

Speaker 7 (01:47:17):
Yeah, thank you guys. You guys have a good rest
of your day.

Speaker 2 (01:47:20):
Safe travels the Fourth Dodge fet.

Speaker 7 (01:47:22):
Yes, sir, thank you, Take care buddy. Yep see it.

Speaker 2 (01:47:25):
That's going to wrap it up for this year's NJCAA
National preview show live from Fort Dodge, Iowa and probably
presented by AERI Rose Radio. Huge thank you to coach
d Brown and the Iowa Central staff for hosting the
twenty twenty five NJCAA National Championships and making this event possible.
To all the athletes lining up this weekend, soak it in,

(01:47:47):
run fearless, and remember what got you here from all
of us at AERI Brose Radio. Mahallo and good luck
at nationals.

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Airey Bros Radio EP 408 | 2025 NJCAA Cross Country Nationals Preview Show — D1, D2 & D3 Coaches Roundtable

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.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Airey Bros Radio EP 408 | 2025 NJCAA Cross Country Nationals Preview Show — D1, D2 & D3 Coaches Roundtable