Billy Peterson
Staff Writer
Erich Voelker
The Pride men’s cross country team was led by senior Erich Voelker on Saturday, Oct. 19, as they took on the challenging 8K course at the Connecticut College Invitational. The race took place at Harkness Memorial State Park and featured 21 schools. Voelker, an Albany, N.Y. native, was able to complete the course with a time of 27:37, good enough for first on the team and 89th overall. The time was Voelker’s fastest this season, and the second time he has led the pack for Springfield. The Computer Graphics/Digital Arts major has been solid all season for the Pride on a team thin in numbers. Springfield is getting ready for the NEWMAC Championships that begin at noon on Sunday, Nov. 3.
Q. How has the team progressed since the first day of the season?
A. The team has really improved from the first day of practice because every member of the team is determined to be better each and every week. I see this every day, whether it’s an easy run or a workout.
Q. What are your expectations for yourself and for the team in the NEWMAC Championships?
A. My goal for myself going into the NEWMAC Championships is to get All-NEWMAC, which is [to] place in the top 14 at the race. I feel team-wise we have a shot at getting fourth.
Q. What has been the highlight of your Springfield College cross country career?
A. The highlight of my Springfield College career in cross country was last year when we had the best cross country finish at Regionals, placing sixth as a team. The reason why it was a highlight [is] because it was the best I have ever run, and scoring for that team really meant a lot.
Emily Rund
The Springfield women’s cross country team is preparing for the NEWMAC Championships that will be held in Boston, Mass. on Sunday, Nov. 3. One of the key pieces in the race for the Pride will be junior runner, Emily Rund. The Physician Assistant major from Enfield, Conn. finished first for the Pride in this past weekend’s Connecticut College Invitational. Twenty-one teams competed in the race, and Rund’s time of 24:43 was good enough to place 83rd, with Springfield coming in 16th overall. Rund has been a consistent runner for the Pride all season, as she qualified as a top-five finisher on the team in five of the first six races. Saturday, Oct. 19, marked the first time this season that Rund finished first for Springfield.
Q. How is the team preparing for the NEWMAC Championships?
A. We have been preparing for the NEWMAC Championships by working to run closer together in groups to be more effective in races.
Q. What has been the key to your success thus far?
A. The key to my success this far has been training over the summer and learning to think positively before and during races.
Q. What is your favorite thing about Springfield College cross country?
A. My favorite thing about Springfield College cross country is my teammates, because they always make me laugh and help me get through demanding workouts.