SEMO Cross Country Team Sprinting Into New Season

The SEMO cross country team is racing into a new season, looking to be the best in the OVC.

The Redhawks team ended last season at the 2022 NCAA Cross Country Midwest Regional. SEMO women placed 31st overall as a team, while the men finished 26th overall as a team.

With a group of returning runners and some bright new faces, the team looks to take full advantage of their situation and strive to be the best they can be.

Photo submitted by SEMO Athletics

“The main focus for the runners this year is to build off of their success from last season, and to become better versions of themselves,” head coach Ryan Lane said.

“Our goal as a team is to win the conference. However, it is also our goal to push each other and work well as a unit,” Junior womens runner Madelyn Gray said.

Cross country can take a physical and also mental toll on someone, with having to wake up at the crack of dawn and running multiple miles. Combine that with dealing with college itself, it can take a real toll on one's mental health.

Photo submitted by SEMO Athletics

“Some of the main struggles that come with running cross country physically is the soreness that comes after workouts, and the general amount of running/training we have to do,” Senior men's runner Justin Splitt said.

“The mental struggles of running cross country is always trying to stay positive. There are rough spots when trying to improve, but that's all you can do, just improve,” Gray said.

Despite the struggles, the runners seem more focused than ever on working together to push toward a common goal.

The Redhawks started their season on September 1st at the Redhawk Cross Country Invitational in Cape Girardeau. Their next race will take place in Columbia, Missouri at the Gans Creek Classic at the University of Missouri.