2007 season preview

Team returns experience and add talented newcomers to 2007 squad

The 2006 cross country season featured a pair of youthful Northwestern College teams that came into their own at season’s end. In each meet last season for both the men and women, NWC improved its average team time. The end result was a seventh place finish in conference and 11^th in the most competitive regional in the NAIA.

This season, NWC features one of its largest squads in their program’s history, with over 50 athletes set to compete. Associate Coach Nate Wolf attributes the recent growth in numbers to “the positive attitude and environment, which leads to a good experience for the athletes.” The youth of the past couple of seasons return, and, coupled with a very talented recruiting class, the 2007 season is met with plenty of optimism.

The women’s team will be led by a very steady and experienced group of seniors. Kap Ainslie (Rapid City, S.D.), the team captain for the second straight year, comes off a very successful 2006 season. Ainslie ran third for the Red Raider squad and will be looked to for leadership. Laura Jacobson (Galva, Iowa) has been a fixture on the cross country and track and field teams for the last three seasons. Jacobson was the top Red Raider finisher in all but one meet in 2006 and will set the standard high for the other NWC runners. Sitting out last season after transferring from Dordt College, Lori Wolf (Orange City, Iowa) enters her final season of eligibility. In 2005, Wolf was the third best runner for the Defenders and she looks to be in the top 5-7 runners for Northwestern this season. Sarah Korver (Orange City, Iowa) will add depth to the squad.

The Raiders also return several underclassmen who will vie for spots in the top seven. Sarah Storm (Sheldon, Iowa) ran second for the squad last season and had a tremendous 2006 track and field season. She qualified for nationals in the marathon and ran very well at the 5K distance. Ingrid Carlson (Sanborn, Iowa), Steph Korfe (Long Prairie, Minn.) and Jenn Moseman (Plattsmouth, Neb.) will add valuable depth and experience.

The Red Raiders brought in a very deep and talented recruiting class which has the potential to both contribute and provide depth on the varsity immediately. Olivia Johnson (Milford, Iowa), Charity Miles (Thedford, Neb.) and Stephanie Powell (Columbus, Neb.) earned all-state honors during their high school careers. Another freshman, Akacia Wentworth (Springview, Neb.) is a two-time state qualifier and placed ninth in 2006.

One of the goals for this season is to continue to improve and be ready for the conference and regional meets. “We are very excited about how hard these women have been working during the off-season,” commented Coach Wolf. “They have put in the miles over the summer which should pay dividends throughout the season.”

The men’s team returns six of the top seven runners from 2006, led by seniors Jon Woehl (Ankeny, Iowa) and Anthony Ebert (Lynnville, Iowa). Woehl, the captain of the men’s squad, showed marked improvement in 2006 and ran his best race at the regional meet. “Jon is an extremely hard worker who has put the miles in over the summer,” commented Wolf. Ebert was the top runner for the Red Raiders at both the conference and regional meet in 2006. He placed 27^th overall at the GPAC meet and 36^th at regionals. Dan Walhof, a junior from Edgerton, Minn., led NWC in four of the six meets and returns after a great track and field season. Andy Norris (Spirit Lake, Iowa) and Kyle Gerhard (Vista, Calif.) return after a freshman season in which they both ran in the top seven.

Like the women’s team, the Red Raider men bring in a stellar recruiting class who will look to make an impact this season. Danny Owens (Clarinda, Iowa) and Tyler Peekenschneider (Lake Park, Iowa) both ran in the state meet during their respective high school careers and will compete for a spot in the top seven.

One of the keys to the season is to remain healthy and to remain focused on the end goal. “We need to get over some nagging injuries on the men’s side,” said Wolf. “We need to stay focused on improving each week and being our best for the conference and regional meets.”

The Red Raiders compete in one of the most competitive conferences and regions in the NAIA with Nebraska Wesleyan, Doane and Concordia being strong in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. At Northwestern, the cross country teams enjoy a “running culture” according to Wolf. “The athletes find fulfillment in running together, working together and competing together. Due to our young squad, our best years are yet to come. Student-athletes, specifically those interested in cross country, looking for the kind of experiences Northwestern has to offer won’t be disappointed in the camaraderie on the team or in the opportunities to compete.”