PREVIEW: Cross Country opens season at Augustana Twilight

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University men's and women's cross country teams look to make strides in the 2018 season under the direction of first-year head coach Jamen Helton.

 Between the men's and women's teams, there are two seniors and three juniors, while seven athletes are sophomores and freshmen.

 "I'm excited about the youth of our team," Helton said. "They are setting the groundwork for the future."

 Kelsie King is the lone senior on the women's side, while Bryce Blank is the only senior on the men's team. King has been a three-year contributor to the Tiger cross country team. Last season she saw her biggest improvements in her career as she recorded a 37^th-place finish at the Mount Marty Invite in 21:29.8 minutes.

 Blank looks to continue to make improvements in his final season as a Tiger. The Rapid City, S.D., native tallied a 47^th-place finish at the Great Plains Athletic Conference Championships, while he came in 49^th at the Mount Marty Invite in 28:36.9.

 "I'm looking to our seniors to be leaders on and off the course," Helton commented. "Their impact will be huge with the youth that we have in the program."

 Mckenna Rogers is the only junior on the women's team and looks to improve off her second season with DWU. Last year, Rogers notched her best finish at the Mount Marty Invite with a 14^th-place finish in 20:15.3. She also came in 37^th at the GPAC Championships with a time of 20:00.

 Ryan Chase and Rex Schlicht round out the junior class for the men's team. Chase looks to make strides in his third season following a season where he competed in two events for the Tigers.

 "I think the biggest thing for our juniors is going to be learning to take on more of a leadership role," Helton mentioned of his junior runners. "They will also have to adjust to the different training."

 Second-year members Samantha Schuyler, Savannah Schmidt, Macey Bohl and Brendan Langbehn look to make an impact throughout the season. This is the first season Schuyler will compete on the cross country team. She competed on the track and field team last season and is expected to make an impact immediately. Schmidt competed in three meets and Bohl finished the GPAC Championships with her best time in 21:46.9, and looks to improve on her finish a season ago.

 Langbehn competed in five meets last year. At the Dordt Classic, he finished in 42^nd place in 28:46, while finishing the season at the GPAC Championships in a time of 28:38.8.

 "I expect Brendan and Samantha to have a breakout season," Helton said. "They have made huge improvements throughout the offseason and I see them being major contributors to our team this season."

 Three newcomers join the DWU cross country team and look to make the transition from high school to college. Layne Lewis joins the team from Plankinton, S.D., while Delanie Larson comes from Gettysburg, S.D. and Susie Meyerink comes from Spearfish, S.D.

 Larson completed her career after guiding her team to a fourth-place finish at the South Dakota Class 'B' State Track and Field Meet in the 4x400-meter relay. Her best mark in the 3,200-meter run came at the Howard Wood Relays in a time of 12:32.05.

 "I think the entire squad is adjusting very well to the training," Helton said. "There is always an adjustment period when a new coach comes in, but the athletes are handling it very well. This year, the team is really going to be focusing on staying healthy and continued growth. With the team being so young it really allows for us to focus on development."

 Both teams begin the season at the Augustana Twilight Meet tomorrow at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls, S.D.