Regis cross country
A new coach and a new start
Brittani Sours, Contributing Writer
The men's and women's Regis cross country teams have been off to a good start this season with a new coach and a refreshing new attitude. Pounding the pavement, they have been running more miles in a week than most people drive; all before most students get up for their 8 a.m. classes.
The end of the spring season last year brought the teams a new coach while Mike Mittelstaedt, the Ranger's previous coach, retired to his home in Albuquerque, NM.
World class runner John Esquibel was quick to welcome the new team to his experience. Esquibel graduated from Adams State College in 1983. Winning three straight NAIA national titles in the indoor mile from 1979-81, Esquibel was a 7-time All-American and a member of three National Championship cross country teams in 1977, 1979 and 1980. He was inducted in the Adams State College Hall of Fame in October of last year.
Esquibel brings a new coaching philosophy to the Rangers, and a fresh attitude to keep the team motivated. Introducing micro cycle training, the Rangers have been racking in the miles as they prepare for the Conference and Regional meets at the end of October. The women's team has been running well over 80 miles a week, while the men are up there with 85-90. Dylan Engberg, a senior on the men's team, states, "John is a great coach. He keeps us motivated to keep getting up before dawn to run 12 miles and to push ourselves during interval workouts."
Those 12 mile runs and interval trainings have really started to show for the team. At the Colorado College Invite this last Saturday, the Rangers showed up with fresh legs and gave an impressive performance with Freshman Adrian Martinez leading the Rangers. The men's team placed sixth, despite having senior Jesse Hunter, out for injury, and sophomore Matt Mach running with them.
The women's team also had a good showing at the meet, placing sixth as well. Junior Anna Hacker lead the pack placing in the top 16, while freshman Amy Smith moved her way up, finishing second in the pack for the Rangers.
"It was a good race. The course was fast and everyone came out and did their best," said Engberg on Saturday's race.
Next on the list will be the annual Rocky Mountain Shootout, a CU Boulder invite on Saturday, the thirtieth, where the teams will compete among the top teams in the nation including consecutive DII champions, Adams State College. The infamous Boulder course is anticipated by the team, with its gradual incline and grueling hill, which the team will run twice up.
"It's a touch meet," says Engberg, "but with the training and motivation that we are getting from Esquibel, it will only make us stronger as we prepare for our two big meets at the end of the season."
The Rangers will compete in the conference meet on Saturday, October 21, in Pueblo Colorado. They will round out a good season on November 4, when they will run the Regional meet in Nebraska.