Grand Valley State University’s cross country season starts on Sept. 13 at the Michigan State Spartan Invite.
Last season, the women’s cross country team won their twenty-second straight Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic (GLIAC) Championship, and followed the championship up by winning the NCAA National Championship. This marked the women’s seventh time winning the championship in the history of their program.
Looking toward the upcoming season, a key difference for the women’s cross country team is the departure of last season’s graduates.
“We graduated several All-American women this past year from our lineup,” said women’s cross country senior Landyn Howell.
These several graduates included Natalie Graber and Klaudia O’malley, who both finished top ten in the NCAA National Championship a season ago.
Howell is one of three seniors on the women’s cross country team, along with Maria Mitchell and Maria Widmann. Despite the makeup of the team, Howell is confident that the group will continue to perform well.
“Our team may be young now, but there is still an immense amount of talent and a passion for being great,” said Howell. “We aren’t focusing on who we lost. Instead, (we focus on) how we can accomplish our goals as a team.”
This mentality of accomplishing goals together aligns with the values of head coach Jerry Baltes. During Baltes’ 26 years as the GVSU cross country coach for both the women’s and men’s teams, he orchestrated 16 championship lineups for the Lakers and has been awarded nine total Program of the Year Awards.
In most sports, experience is thought of as the most crucial factor to success, but Baltes doesn’t just prioritize experience when it comes to forming his team.
“On both sides, we had runners not race in the national championship this year that have raced in the past (championships),” said Baltes. “No matter who the seven are toeing the line, we are all in this together.”
While experience is a principal attribute to have, the bond and chemistry of a team can propel a unit much further than only experience.
“We have an amazing and supportive group who aren’t afraid to push the limits,” said Howell. “We want to be great, and be great together.”
According to Howell, there is an assumed pressure when it comes to defending national champions. However, Howell noted that pressure doesn’t seem to affect this team.
“There’s always pressure when it comes to nationals,” said Howell. “But we’re not scared. If anything, we’re excited to carry on the legacy before us.”
With the team’s new season starting in just under a month, the mindset for the group is simple.
“(We want to) achieve the highest potential possible,” said Howell. “It’s a new year and we’re going to be ready to compete at a high level.”
