Morris and Walters Qualify for Nationals
BYRON CENTER, Mi – Ryan Morris and Noah Walters of the Schoolcraft College Men's Cross Country Team recently qualified to advance and compete at the National Championship as individual runners, representing Schoolcraft. The determination followed their Regional meet held on October 27, 2023. The team competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Regional & Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Conference Championship held at Douglas Walker Park in Byron Center, Michigan near Grand Rapids. Despite the overcast day with mild temperatures near 70 degrees, the damp course from recent rains added a challenge to competitors. Two Schoolcraft athletes fought the crowded pack to advance to the NJCAA DII National Cross-Country Championship scheduled for November 11, 2023, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama. Freshman Noah Walters qualified in 11th place with a time of 26:55.7 for the 8000-meter (4.97 miles) run. Walters said, "The season was a success. The hard work and vigorous training paid off with a visit to Nationals. Even though a small team, we had great teamwork and great training from a smart coach." Teammate and fellow freshman, Ryan Morris, qualified at 29th place with his time of 28:31.2. Considering this season's accomplishments, Morris said, "A highlight is obviously, qualifying for Nationals. There were difficulties but overall, it was a great experience and I'm looking forward to next year." The Schoolcraft team ran against twenty community college teams and 120 runners from across the region.
Coach Tobin Jones commented on his team's national qualifiers, " I'm grateful to have two fine young men to send the team in the right direction. They get along well and feed each other to keep improving." Considering the five meets of the cross-country season before Regionals, Tobin remarked, "The weather and courses have been difficult for our last three races, I am hoping they have their best race yet on November 11 at the National Championship!" SC Cross Country took part in Skippers Cross Country Showcase (9/1/23 & 9/29/23), GRCC Raider XC Invite (9/15/23), Jayhawk Invitational (10/14/23), and Marian University's Ancilla College Charger Invitational (10/14/23).