Coming off another highly successful campaign last fall, expectations are once again high for the Houghton men's and women's cross country teams. While both teams will do so without two key contributors to last year's success, they both return a strong nucleus of upperclassmen and several quality recruits. Head Coach Patrick Hager shared his thoughts on what needs to be done to capture their goals.
 
Provide a quick recap of last season.
Our men placed third in the Empire 8 and 10^th in the region, which marked our first NCAA top-10 regional finish to-date. Amos Bixler finished All-Region with a 27^th place finish at the regional championships.
 
The women took sixth in the Empire 8 and 14^th in the region. Noelle Linenfelser placed 14^th at the regional championships and qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championships.  
 
What team goals have you put in place for the coming season?
1) For both teams to finish top-two in the Empire 8 and top-10 in the region.
2) To qualify two individuals for the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
3) To be a 'Team with Aim' (1^st Corinthians 9). Continue to work on selfless team-focus in a sport that emphasizes individual finish.
 
What are the keys to meeting those goals?
In some ways, the key is to continue to build on the previous years' cultural and physical gains, and letting that momentum do its work.
 
Off-season work has been a big area of gain and growth for us the last four-to-six years. Identifying where each athlete has room to move forward and step up in volume and intensity of training.
 
Focused time with team leaders and coaches [also play a role], and team leaders communicating and engaging with the team, especially on race day.  
 
What are your team's greatest strengths?
Culture and replacement. Year after year these groups continually see athletes make jumps after [an] impactful senior(s) graduates. They do a great job of absorbing that leadership and understanding what's expected of them when they're stronger and ready.
 
What personnel losses from last season will be hardest to replace?
One the women's team, Tabitha Clark and Phebe Grant. James Eustace and Sam Lyon for the men. From a performance, leadership, and spiritual perspective, these are four athletes we will greatly miss.
 
Who are the key returners and what do they provide the team?
Noelle Linenfelser, Emberlynn Nolt, Jenna Binney, Rachael Smith, Aria Larson, Risa Palmer will provide a leading core for the women. Amos Bixler, Ben Allen, Isaac Gasparri, Luke Ellis, Connor Little, Lincoln McGrath, Salim Ford will do the same for the men.

Each [individual] provides something a little different. For people like Amos and Noelle, they're great leaders, but also very reliable and high-level performers, aka 'low sticks'. For Isaac and Rachael, there's a spiritual, work ethic, and care leadership that is invaluable.
 
Who are some of the newcomers who could contribute and what do they add to your team?
Amy Collins and Peyton Kellogg for the women. Amy could be an immediate scorer for us. Peyton has talent to get there and works very hard.

For the men, Evan Geer and John Wohlgemuth are both very talented. They need to gain some aerobic strength, but should push for a top-seven spot immediately.
 
What are some of the pivotal meets on the schedule?
For us, each competition before Empire 8 and Regionals has its place. The Connecticut College Invitational will be a huge test just two weeks before Empire 8—it's all top-10 regional teams from the different regions, so we will see how we hang.

Otherwise, it really all boils down to the two weeks of Empire 8 and Niagara Regional Championships to be able to peak both physically and emotionally.