Success in distance running requires dedication, consistent training, and opportunities for improvement. With this statement in mind, the primary goal of the Prairie Fire cross country program is to give each athlete a chance to improve while competing against other runners.
Since 1997, Prairie Fire cross country runners have earned more than 20 All-Midwest Conference medals, and in its history, the program has had one MWC individual champion (Rose Nguyen, 1992) and one NCAA national qualifier (Brian Campbell, 1993).
Runners of all ability levels are provided a solid training system, a challenging race schedule, and a positive environment designed to maximize each individual's potential. Each runner is considered to be a contributing member of the whole team.
The cross country season begins with an organized plan for summer conditioning and base training, but official team practices start in late August. The runners report to campus for a two-week training period before the start of classes and normal afternoon practices. Practices include quality training sessions at several city parks in Galesburg and distance runs on local roads.
In addition to three separate Midwest Conference Championship meets, Knox distance runners have a chance at NCAA Division III national competition in all three sports and all three seasons: cross country (November), indoor track (March), and outdoor track (May).
Prairie Fire cross country runners have gone on to a wide variety of successful careers. They include Amy Beuschlein '89 (independent major), a special agent at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Caryl Fank '02 (mathematics, economics) is the senior actuarial assistant at Allstate Insurance Company. Kelsea Lipe '02 (biology) is an emergency medicine resident at William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan. Bruce Billingsley '79 (economics and business administration) is the volleyball coach at Saint Ambrose University. Douglas Hill '77 (biology, economics and business administration) is the deputy prosecutor for the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office in Tacoma, Washington.
For more information, submit the Recruit Me form or e-mail head coach Ryan Monson at rmonson@knox.edu.
