This weekend is what is what Real Racing is all about for USATF in the winter. USA Club Cross Country Championships baby. Team Nebraska will be there in full force. We want to thank the Lincoln Marathon for their generous support, making it possible for us to send 16 of the top runners in our state to compete against the best clubs from around the United States.
There are only two events for the whole year that showcase USATF Club Championship competitons. We were proud to host the Track & Field champs back in July, and now Club Cross in Lexington. A quick perusal of the entry lists gives you an idea of how deep the competition really is, http://usatf.org/Events—Calendar/2012/USATF-National-Club-Cross-Country-Championships/Status.aspx
We almost always have to travel to get this level of racing which is cool. It is our privilege and pride to wear the Lincoln Marathon logo on our jerseys. Showing the entire nation just how fortunate we are to have a sponsor that understands and appreciates racing at its very highest level.
At this past weekend’s annual meeting Team Nebraska was mentioned as prime example of how sponsorships allow developing athletes the opportunity that might not otherwise be available. Wish I had been in that meeting.
The Good Mates will gather tonight and early tomorrow, departing from Omaha at 5:00 am. We’ve rented a couple of passenger vans, a twelve and a half hour drive in front of us. Forecast is for rain and more rain. A mudfest, we wouldn’t want it any other way, true cross country.
We won’t have David Adams this year, his 10th overall finish likely to remain our highest ever in this event. But we do have a solid group that I think top to bottom is the very best we’ve ever sent.
Open Men are Eric Rasmussen, Nate Stack, Cory Logsdon, Matt Pohren, and Luka Thor. Open Women are Natalie Como, Alysha Davis, Megan Zavorka/Thomas, Shannon Mauser Suing, Haleigh Riggle, and Meghan Schneider. The first time we’ve sent a full Open Women’s team and they are a fine group indeed.
1992 DIII Cross Country National Champion Gary Wasserman will be a force in the men’s 50+ race. We are proud to have him wearing the Red & White.
I especially like our masters women team, Natalie Jetensky, Stacy Shaw, and Linda. Arguably the finest 40+ women in the entire state (excepting our marathon legend Roxi Erickson of course, but cross is not her cup of tea). Here’s the 6K course they’ll be dealing with in less than 48 hours, going to be very hilly as evidenced by the elevation graph. There will be plenty of stiff competition, No Fear is their order of the day, they Like This!
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