BY: Allison Stewart
Beep… beep… beep…
It is 7 a.m. and your alarm clock goes off. You wake up and get ready. For the next two and a half hours, you will be running and working out.
Oh, and you do this seven days a week.
This is how each day begins for AUM’s cross country team. Dedication does not sleep in for these runners. Rather, it starts their day bright and early.
Head Coach Ryan Thompson is excited for what the new season has in store. As the coach, Thompson understands the pressures and rewards of pushing his team. Preparation is key when it comes to gaining the best results. Thompson strategically plans each practice, sometimes with detailed goals for his runners. On the weekends, the team travels to different practice locations to keep their runs fresh.
Thompson started his coaching career back in 2007 at the College of Charleston. He began coaching at AUM in 2016. When asked about the most rewarding aspect of his job, Thompson replied, “Getting to watch my team progress from freshman to senior year.” While there are challenges, such as his job depending on the success of teenagers and 20-year-olds, it is worth it. Thompson values the potential of his direct influence on his runners. When he witnesses their improvement, it encourages him.
Running is more than just a physical sport—there is a huge mental commitment that comes along too. Thompson shared that the team is taking a new mental approach to the season: Take one day at a time. He understands that some days will not be everyone’s best. Since the team wake up day in and day out, challenging their endurance, speed, and strength, it is important to focus on their best selves that day. This is not to say they have no long term goals. They certainly do, but it is vital that Thompson monitors the daily mental and physical health of his team. Injuries are not a friend, and they do their best to prevent them.
This year, the team has two graduate assistants; Danielle Riggs and Michael Johnson. Riggs, a former AUM runner, and Johnson, a former Montevallo runner, greatly help team dynamics. Their combined experience as collegiate runners provides further encouragement for the team. Also, they extend the coach-to-runner ratio and ensure that each athlete has the opportunity to be heard. With 25 runners, this is the biggest cross country team yet. Having more coaches allows each runner to get the attention they deserve.
AUM recently gained NCAA Division II status. For the past three years, AUM has undergone a waiting period. The NCAA completed an audit that looked at finances, academics, and more. During this time, sports were not eligible to compete. The cross country team still participated in meets and conference championships, but they did not officially rank. Back in 2017 at the conference championships, the men’s team “placed” 10th out of 13 and the women’s team “placed” 12th out of 14. Last year, the men’s team “placed” 7th out of 12 and the women’s team “placed” 7th out of 13. It was important for the team to remain active in competing so they were prepared for this season, since they are finally eligible.
The new NCAA Division II status does not change much for cross country, due to the structure of competitions. The cross country season runs from August 31st until the week before Thanksgiving. Their major competitions include conference, regional, and nationals. Everyone runs at conference and regional, but you must qualify in the top three at regional to move to nationals. They are still at the beginning of the season, but they have endless opportunities for success.
Being a college athlete has its own challenges. For cross country, they are waking up before most of the campus is awake. Academics are still the priority. They are required to complete at least six hours of study hall a week. On Sundays from 6-8 p.m., they have a mandatory team study hall. Also, Thomspon encourages his team to use the counseling center on campus. Utilizing campus resources is a great way for them to stay on track.
AUM students and faculty can support cross country by donating to the team’s booster account. More importantly, we can encourage the runners. Coach Thompson stated that simply wishing the runners good luck can make a huge difference. As a Warhawk community, it is important that we are aware of how we can support one another.
Their next meet is on Sept. 14 at the University of Florida Mountain Dew Invite. When you see a runner on campus this week, make sure to wish them good luck and a big, “Go Warhawks!”
For more information about AUM cross country, please visit aumathletics.com.
