ISU cross country is home of the only coaching duo in the MVC to be admitted to the track and field All-Centennial Team. ISU men's head coach John McNichols and ISU women's head coach John Gartland are among only nine others in MVC history with this honor.

McNichols began his career at ISU in 1982 and since then, has earned seven MVC Cross Country Conference Titles, making up almost half of his total 15 MVC titles. He has been named the MVC Cross Country Coach of the Year seven times and the Great Lakes Region Cross Country Coach of the Year. Last year, McNichols conquered his first triple crown by sweeping the cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field seasons in a dominating victory.

"It's just so tough winning a conference title. It's the pinnacle of why we do it," McNichols said. "Winning all three titles was really, really a proud moment for our coaching staff."

Gartland joined the Sycamores in 1988 and has led his teams to two MVC cross country titles and 10 track and field titles. He has been named MVC Conference Coach of the Year 10 times - one of which was in cross country - and NCAA District V Coach of the Year four times for track and field. In 2010, Gartland passed the women's track and field program to former ISU athlete Angie Martin, but remains as women's cross country head coach and track and field assistant.

Gartland's most memorable moment is the conference championship of 1991.

"We had lost our number one runner, Debbie Ramseyer, due to an injury, and it looked like it was going to be a terrible year," Gartland said. "[None of the other teams] were running strong at the conference meet, and we snuck into the first place spot."

Under the duo's leadership, several high caliber athletes have developed, including two current employees at ISU: Angie Lansing, Assistant Athletic Director, Angie Lansing, and Assistant Track and Field Coach. Geoff Wayton, Lansing was named All-Region in 1996 and claims the fourth best 5k time in ISU history. Wayton was named All-Region in 1996 and 1997 and is listed third in the Sycamore 8k record book.

Through marital ties to Wayton, Jessica Crowder joins the community of successful athletes and Sycamore careers. Crowder will soon be inducted into the All-American Hall of Fame for her 47th (30th American) place finish at the 2003 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Crowder sweeps the ISU records in the 4k, 5k, and 6k.

Though training always adjusts according to personal and group needs, the base training at ISU since the 1990's has dramatically altered. The frequency of meets has declined to every other weekend, and consequently, the training volume has increased for the men, and the intensity has increased for the women.

According to McNichols, in the early 1970's, the men used to run between 90 and 100 miles per week. With 10k competition more frequent, athletes were forced to prepare for meets weekly. Now, with many season races slimmed to 8k and ran alternated weekends, the men are able to run from 100 to 110 miles per week.

Gartland has been focusing on the quality of workouts as opposed to quantity. This includes the lowering of weekly mileage from high fifties to low forties for the women. The intensity of his training has been increased in order to adhere to the varying weaknesses and strengths of his athletes.

Additionally, the coaching staff believes the increase in training and performance is partially credited to the "internet era." Athletes are able to compare workout progression online and are aware of other's hard work, creating a domino effect of high performance.

The facilities for ISU cross country have also transformed. Prior to the creation of the LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course in Terre Haute, ISU reserved Hulman Links public golf course for their home meets. Though, the races were limited. Gartland stated that the coaching staff was forced to pull strings with the Mayor to gain privileges. The last meet held at the course was the 1991 MVC Conference Championship.

The LaVern Gibson Course was built on donated land previously used as a landfill. ISU had no affiliation with the development of the course.

The course was intricately designed and built to format a championship course. Features such as the parking lot location, high fence, natural amphitheatre, placement of the chute, press box visibility, subtle hills, and the route and distance of the loops were carefully considered.

"We created a model, so when schools build a course, they build it like we did," McNichols said.

Wayton, having had ran on the course several times, described the course as "fair."

"The athlete that is the most fit will do well out there. I think what NCAA values is when you have championships, you have fair championships - a crisp, clear format where champions are crowned," he said.

Wayton was among the first to race on the course. ISU men won the first race held on the course in 1996.

"It was a big source of pride. We really valued how much time and energy was being put into cross country," Wayton said.

The LaVern Gibson course has sprouted cross country popularity in Terre Haute. The city has been the host of the NCAA Division 1 Pre-Nationals and NCAA Division 1 Cross Country Championships since 2004.

"[The course] has totally changed the perception of our running program. It became emission not only for our teams but for our community," McNichols said. "There is no sport more wholesome than cross country, and Terre Haute is now associated with that."

Following the construction of the LaVern Gibson course, four hotels have been built in Terre Haute. Though the relation is not directly proven, it is feasible to say the busy fall season created more revenue and economic wealth for the city.

Since Wayton's recruited class began the streak of MVC success, the men's cross country program has been at a constant rise, progressively getting more competitive under McNichols‘ coaching. ISU men have been crowned champions in five of the last seven conference meets.

The men have been tabbed in the 2012 MVC pre-season poll to take first at the upcoming championship meet. Five of the seven championship runners are returning, and the men are filling in the two lost spots with plenty of depth.

"The goal is to be in peak shape for conference. We're the favorite coming in, but we still have a lot to accomplish," senior and returning All-Conference runner Craig Padgett said.

For the women, MVC success has been constant. The highest conference finishes occurred in the early 1990s, and since, Sycamore women have remained competitive for no lower than sixth place. Under Gartland's reign, 21 conference finishes have been fifth place or higher, and only two have been in sixth.

"This year is probably the best shape everyone has been in, and as a team our lead group has been bigger," senior runner Kelsie Slater said. "We are training hard, and plan to be contenders for a top three spot."

The path paved for current ISU cross country runners is one with dignified pride, and the athletes are left with a successful reputation to continue. With a top-notch facility, experienced coaching, and passionate athletes, the ISU cross country program will continue to rise to new triumphs.