Sam Enlund
Social Media/Sports Editor
Men’s cross country started the season breaking records with senior Dominic Buckman in the 5K. Buckman broke it at the Missouri Southern Stampede alongside teammate senior Corbin Cole, who finished .19th of a second behind.
About his team, coach Jon Petter said, “It’s been incredible. The guys have been jelling really well, coming together. We had a great summer. We’ve had hiccups, you know, the usual bumps and bruises, and things like that, but the guys have been really just grinding, working hard, taking care of each other, caring about their teammates and racing has become part of that.”
Both Cole and Buckman are motivated by their team and want to do well for their teammates. Cole described how his teammates are his favorite part about the sport and how he wants to do well for them.
Cole said, “My teammates. Definitely my teammates… especially this year because we are all seniors, or most of us are seniors, we have a few juniors.” He also said, “It’s like we have all worked so hard for four years, and now we are finally getting to see it pay off.”
About what motivates him, Buckman said, “Definitely my team. We are looking pretty good right now, and you know ranked top in the state right now. Obviously, it doesn’t really matter until you race the State race, but for now definitely the team just knowing everybody so well and wanting to win for the team is definitely a huge thing.”
The team has started its season off with first place overall at Missouri Southern, First Capital and Blackburn. With multiple medals from Buckman, Cole, Junior Drew Upperman and Senior Henry Boland.
A long standing school record in the 5K is now being held by Buckman, who broke the record alongside his teammate, Corbin Cole. Buckman finished in 15:34.13 and Cole finished in 15:34.32. The record was held by Charlie Teeter with his time of 15:39.27.
About how he felt afterward, Buckman said, “It was definitely pretty crazy because that school record has been a thing for a while, and it’s always kinda been a big goal of mine to break it, and after last year it was kind of like it felt like a weight off my shoulders to kind of do it. So to finally have it happen was really cool and also especially since Corbin was only like right behind me it was very cool for both of us to do that.”
The dynamic between Buckman and Cole is a very unique one. The two are very close in race times and can constantly push each other to run better. Both of them said their favorite person was to run against was each other.
Buckman said, “My teammate Corbin probably because he’s right next to me and obviously your teammates are the people that are pushing you during practices and all that, so he’s definitely my favorite person to run against, but it’s like friendly competition because like we are there for the team.”
Cole said, “I’d say Dominic just because we are both competitive, but it’s also like I like seeing him succeed, and he likes seeing me succeed. So it’s fun running against him because no matter what the outcome is I’ll be happy with it.”
Both of them help to motivate and push each other and have similar goals for the end of the season. Buckman and Cole both have goals in terms of time, Cole wanting to break 15, and Buckman wanting to beat 15:20. However, they both have a bigger focus in wanting to place well in State.
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Sam Enlund-Social Media/Sports Editor This will be Sam Enlund’s first year on ECHO staff. She also made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year. |
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