Mount Marty Works To Move Cross Country Program Forward
August 28, 2018
The Mount Marty College cross country teams are looking to improve their performances this fall after both squads finished 10th in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) meets a year ago.
Lancer head coach Randy Fischer believes his teams have the necessary talent, staff and attitude to right the ship for the 2018 campaign.
“Last season was not our year, we were dealing with injuries and other things that are hard to control. I think we have the athletes and staff necessary to turn things around for this season and perform to the level I know we are capable of,” Fischer said.
“I am lucky to have such a talented class come in as freshmen. I feel they will all be able to make an impact and develop into better athletes while they are here,” he said.
The men’s team has five incoming freshmen on the roster: Brian Santiago (Hartington, Nebraska), Seth Wiebelhaus (Fordyce, Nebraska), Caleb Kirschenmann (Dell Rapids), Alfonso Erickson (Irene) and Brayden Effle (Tilden, Nebraska).
The women’s team has two freshmen on the roster: Lanny Clark (Gayville-Volin graduate) and Tayler Carlson (Custer).
There are also a healthy number of returning athletes to keep an eye on this season.
Senior Mikayla Prouty, who made it to the NAIA National Meet in Charlotte, North Carolina her freshman season, looks to bounce back from an injury riddled sophomore and junior season. Senior Kiana Hoff looks to have a solid impact in the GPAC this season — she holds five school records for indoor track.
There are a total of six returning seniors on the women’s roster, and three returning seniors on the men’s roster. Fischer will look to his upperclassmen to lead not only the freshmen, but the team to a successful 2018 season.
“We are lucky as a team to have multiple leaders on the team that can help mold and aid our younger athletes in their development. I depend on the captains of our team to motivate and lead by example, that is what a captain should do,” Fischer said.
Senior Matt Jirele is the captain of the men’s roster, while junior Genevieve Clark, Hoff and Prouty are captains of the women’s team.
The Lancers begin their season Friday at the Augustana Twilight Meet in Sioux Falls, for an 8:30 p.m. start. Mount Marty will host its own invite on Oct. 20.
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2018 Season Schedule
Aug. 31 Augustana Twilight 8:30 p.m.
(Sioux Falls)
Sept. 8 Herb Blakely Inv. 10:30 a.m.
(Madison)
Sept. 22 Dean White Inv. TBA
(Crete, Neb.)
Sept. 29 Wayne State Inv. 9:30 a.m.
(Wayne, Neb.)
Oct. 6 Briar Cliff Inv. 10:30 a.m.
(Sioux City, Iowa)
Oct. 20 Mount Marty Inv. 10:30 a.m.
(Fox Run Golf Course, Yankton)
Nov. 3 Great Plains Ath. Conf. TBA
(Fremont, Neb.)
Nov. 16 NAIA Champ. TBA
(Cedar Rapids, Iowa)