Alma, MI - The Alma College Cross Country programs are looking forward to another solid season in 2023. The Scots field an experienced team with some boosts from a motivated incoming freshmen class, and will look to make gains on last season's results.
Alma opens their season at the Jeff Drenth Invite on Friday, September 1, and ends their scheduled events on November 12 at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Head Coach Matt Chovanec is excited for the 2023 Cross Country slate, as he enters his 9th season leading the program. "I really like our schedule. It's got some great meets to test us throughout the season, but it also allows us to get in some quality training sessions throughout the season as well. If I had to pick a meet that is our toughest, I would say the Augustana Interregional Invitational. It has a tradition of having very good teams from all over the country attend and I am looking forward to it."
The Alma men see 4 sophomores return to the roster, including Haydin Sims, who made a name for himself in a Scots uniform early on, with his performance at the 2022 Jeff Drenth Invite. In terms of upperclass returners, Alma brings back 1 junior, to go along with a senior class of 4. That senior leadership is comprised of Jacob Campbell, Colton Chovanec, Justin Kissling, and Braxton Lamey. Lamey and Haydin Sims are the Scots to watch, as the pair have both put up some eye opening times in the last year.
The Scots women bring in a new group of 4 faces to add to a solid culture. The sophomore returners are made up of 5 more familiar faces, highlighted by Kaitelyn Walker, who ran several races in Alma's top 7 last season. The upper class returners are made up of 4 juniors, and 4 seniors. The most notable name of a solid senior class is Andrea Taghon, who won an individual MIAA Championship with Track and Field in the 400 meter hurdles in the Spring. For this squad, the senior class brings a lot of talent and leadership to the table, and looks to impart that leadership on the incoming Scots.
"I am definitely excited for another year. We had a lot of positives occur last season that we can most definitely build off from. And with the new additions to our program, I believe we are in a better place than last season. We all know we are going to encounter challenges along the way, but there is nothing better than working through them, growing from those moments, and being prepared for championship season come November. Bring on the Fall!"
Alma travels just 10 minutes up the road to Shepherd High School to kick off their season on Friday.
Stay tuned for start times, and be sure to head out and support the Scots.
