Sports 101: Sycamore cross country

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.