Grand Rapids Community College issued the following announcement on Oct. 10.
Grand Rapids Community College cross country teams moved up in the national rankings after team and individual victories in the first three meets of the season, with both squads in the top 10.
The GRCC women’s team was ranked fourth in the nation in the 2020 National Junior College Athletic Associations Division II coaches’ poll, up from fifth in the last poll. The men’s team is ranked No. 8, up from 10th.
Both teams have been in the national top 10 all season.
“I’m so proud of all the hard work that our team has put in this season,” Head Coach Matt Sicilia said. “Even more so, I’m proud of their selflessness and willingness to support one another during practices and races. It’s great to see that our hard work is recognized in the rankings, but we know that there is still a lot of work to be done to reach our potential as a team this season.”
The teams are both 3-0 at the halfway point of the season, and runners Joshua Kipkoech and Kiah Becker finished first in all three of their races.
Kipkoech was named National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week last month.
"One way the sport of cross country measures success is through national rankings," Assistant Coach Sharon Becker said. "Another way is in the races -- how the team and individuals finish and place. In a regular, 'non-COVID-19 season' cross country has less opportunities than other sports to compete against other sports. This year we have even less race opportunities in which the athletes are able to compete, show, or prove their progress and success. I'm thrilled that our team and individual student-athletes are getting recognition for their hard work. It is awesome to be ranked in the top five and the top 10! But, also, we try to convey to the student-athletes that success isn't always seen weekly or may not even be outwardly credited at all. Success comes through the process. We try to focus on the process. Success is measured through (the process of) hard-work and persevering through boredom, changes and challenges."
The cross country squads are the only GRCC Athletics teams competing this fall, with players and coaches following strict protocols to promote wellness during the coronavirus crisis.
“It’s wonderful to see our student-athletes recognized for their hard work and performance,” GRCC Athletic Director Dave Selmon said. “Our coaches have done a tremendous job to prepare the students to be successful on the race course and in the classroom. They’re focused on effort and improvement, and the rankings reflect that.”
The Raiders will next compete on Friday, Oct. 17 at the Muskegon Jayhawk Invitational hosted by Muskegon Community College. The women are scheduled to run at 2 p.m. and the men at 2:45 p.m.
Grand Rapids Community College offers learners of all ages opportunities to gain credits for degrees or transfer and in-demand career skills leading to rewarding careers. GRCC was established in 1914 – Michigan’s first community college -- and offers affordable classes on weekdays, evenings, Saturdays and online at locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Grand Rapids Community College
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