Veterans seek to lead Tigers in 2020

MITCHELL, S.D. – Expectations are running rampant surrounding the Dakota Wesleyan University cross-country program as both the men's and women's teams return a combined 14 upperclassmen with previous racing experience leaving the Tigers with plenty of optimism and motivation entering the 2020 season.

 "A lot of what we can accomplish this year will come down to the leadership and chemistry we have on this year's team," head cross-country coach Jamen Helton said of this season's expectations. "Our senior leaders are fantastic and will be counted on a great deal especially with the youth of the team."

 Returners entering their senior campaign with the Tigers include Savannah Schmidt (Plankinton, S.D.), Macey Bohl (Garretson, S.D.), Devin Rihanek (Plankinton, S.D.) and Brendan Langbehn (Worthing, S.D.). Three other names to watch out for as the season progresses are Tessa Kilber (Ipswich, S.D.), Annika Vermeulen (Mitchell, S.D.), and Wyatt Baldauf (Seneca, Ill.) who are all looking to reap the benefits of a quality summer of training.

 The men's squad will be led by experienced veterans in Rihanek and Langbehn. Also in the mix, will be the sophomore duo of Justin Sorensen (Vermillion, S.D.) and Baldauf who capped off brilliant freshman campaigns last year, boasting team highs in the 8K with times of 27:27.5 minutes and 27:07.1, respectively.

 The women's team enters the season with a similar narrative as the Tigers look to the senior duo of Schmidt and Bohl for experience and leadership. Accompanying the senior duo will be another talented pair of Tigers in junior Delanie Larson (Gettysburg, S.D.) and Vermeulen who should be poised to improve and help pace the team this season. Vermeulen tallied a team-best finish in the 5K last fall recording a time of 21:18.6.

 With a strong foundation and core in place, Helton is optimistic about the potential and talent on both teams entering his third season as head coach.

 "Our biggest goal is to continue the growth and development of the team," he stated. "We also want to improve upon our GPAC finish from last season as well as having a few individuals in the running for a national qualification come the end of the season."

 Other key returners with previous racing experience for the Tigers are junior Layne Lewis (Plankinton, S.D.) and sophomores Baylee Field (Fremont, Neb.), Ashley Pruss, (Tea, S.D.), Samantha Shoultz (Huron, S.D.), Zach Fieber (Goodwin, S.D.) and Spens Schlicht (Woonsocket, S.D.).

 Also pivotal to the upcoming season will be the addition of three new Tigers who, according to Helton, will be thrown into big roles for both squads during their first year with the program.

 "I am extremely excited about the freshmen coming in as the future is very bright for our program," Helton commented.

 On the men's side, Hunter Shanks (Bennington, Neb.) begins his freshman campaign with the opportunity to make an immediate impact with his speed and strength. Shanks placed third in his conference with a time of 2:01.7 in the 800-meter run and led his 4x800-meter relay team to a district title and a third-place finish at the state meet. The women's squad will welcome in the talented duo of Kilber and Morgan Oedekoven (Pierre, S.D.) who will also be pivotal to the season given their endurance and speed. Kilber comes in with a personal best of 19:31 in the 5K which was good enough for an eighth-place finish at the state meet. Meanwhile, Oedekoven enters her freshman campaign with personal bests of 20:53 and 5:33 in the 5k and mile, respectively.

 The Tigers are scheduled to commence the 2020 season on Saturday at the Dordt Invite in Sioux Center, Iowa. From there, both teams hope to hit their stride at the Seminole Valley Stampede on Saturday, Oct. 10 where the Tigers posted several strong finishes in 2019. The season will culminate with the GPAC Championships on Saturday, Nov. 7 which will be hosted by Mount Marty University in Yankton, S.D.

2020 Dakota Wesleyan University Men's and Women's Cross-Country Schedule

Saturday, Sept. 5 @ Dordt Invite (Sioux Center, Iowa)

Saturday, Sept. 19 @ Morningside Invite (Sioux City, Iowa)

Saturday, Oct. 3 @ Briar Cliff Invite (Sioux City, Iowa)

Saturday, Oct. 10 @ Mount Mercy - Seminole Valley Stampede (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

Saturday, Oct. 24 @ Mount Marty Invite (Yankton, S.D.)

Saturday, Nov. 7 @ GPAC Championships (Yankton, S.D.)