Cross country runners challenged to improve by head coach

  Cross Country is a well-know sport, but is not understood completely.

  Cross Country is a demanding sport day in and day out. It's a simple sport to participate in but to be good takes certain individuals that have the right tools.

  Mental toughness, speed, and stamina are some of the key ingredients of Cross Country. The sport is not only physically demanding, but also mentally demanding. With different running styles and running strategies, the competition changes for every runner.

  Head Coach Jacob Gleason entered his fourth year confident and ready to make changes in the OAC for the Muskies.

  Phillip Finnegan and the rest of the team believe that with the lead of Gleason they can make a run to the OAC championship.

  "Coach Gleason is an amazing coach, and after talking to him on a visit last year I knew that Muskingum was the place for me," Finnegan stated. "Coach Gleason proved his stay. After his first year, he doubled his recruiting numbers for the Men's Cross Country team. Gleason has kept the program expanding year to year and he plans on continuing this drive to success."

  Before Gleason came to Muskingum, he was previously the assistant coach at Ohio Northern University and successfully coached All-Americans, National-Qualifiers, and Division leaders.

  Sprints and Jumps Coach Jessi Larrison, with two years at Muskingum, is also a part of the coaching team.

  The coaches of Muskingum Cross Country have faith in their runners and the goals they want to achieve.

  "The team has more depth than it has had in previous years, and they should start paying attention," said Finnegan. "Because if you're not paying attention, you just might miss us."