Cross country making strides in preseason

MONTGOMERY, Ala.  – The Huntingdon volleyball team, men's and women's soccer teams and men's and women's cross country teams began preseason practice on Aug. 17.

Updates for each team's preseason are being featured this week. Volleyball began the week on Monday, followed by women's soccer on Tuesday. Today's featured teams are men's and women's cross country.

Men's and Women's Cross Country

The Huntingdon cross country program is preparing for its first season of competition since 2012.

Under head coach Dan August, the program began preseason practice with 13 runners. The men's team started with seven runners and the women began with six runners.

Both teams open the season on Sept. 1 in the JSU Strut's Season Opener.

Head Coach Dan August on the preseason: "The preseason is going very well so far. Right now we are continuing to lay the foundation for the tougher workouts later in the year that will prepare us for the conference and regional championships. The athletes have done everything I have asked of them, and each day you can see improvement. Based on the current work, I expect to see a lot of PRs come November." 

August on emerging leadership: "Having a team of mostly freshmen, it has been surprising for me to see some leaders already step up and set the tone. The freshmen came in and immediately proved they are here to work. The returning athletes have emerged as mentors for the new students and have had a positive effect on them."

August on what has impressed him the most so far: "I have been impressed with the willingness to get after each workout, as well as the positive mindset each day. This team wants to get better each and every day and they show up ready to work as well as learn. I have not taken it easy on them and there have been some sore legs, but that hasn't hindered their desire to keep working."