Although runners often strive to reach their best individual times, the North Central College men’s cross country team supports each team member every step of the way.
Many consider cross country to be an individual sport, but the Cardinal harriers have a special bond that cannot be compared to other cross country teams.
Over the past 50 years under the direction of head coach Al Carius, the team has won 16 Division III national titles, the most recent victory being in 2014, as well as 27 regional championships and 48 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) titles. The results are proof that a strong bond as a team and hard work continually result in success.
“In high school, you’ll have people on the team for other reasons, whether they’re doing it for a gym credit or whatever (reason),” said junior Ethan Adlfinger (’17). “But in college people do it to for the love of running.”
It’s not just the upperclassmen that have been with the program over the years who feel this connection. “There are so many guys [on the team], so there will always be someone sharing the same pains,” freshman Emmanuel Chavez-Ortega (’18) said.
Aside from all the time spent working together in practice, the team finds time for each other outside of practice as well.
“After meets we go out to eat downtown,” said Chavez-Ortega. “It’s kind of like a family dinner. It feels nice because it’s usually on Friday nights; everyone could be hanging out with their girlfriends or their family, but they save that night for the team.”
The team gets together for meals on campus or to simply unwind after practice. “We all sit together as a team at Kaufman and when we’re not busy we all just hang out and watch movies,” freshman Jacob Wantland said.
Unfortunately for many teams, the bond seems to fade away when the sport is not in season, but this is not the case for this team. Chavez-Ortega plans to stay in touch with his teammates by planning trips or training days during the off-season.
The team not only stays in touch during the off-season, but current student-athletes also maintain relationships with alumni, competing in summer road races and visits.
“These are life-long bonds we have formed,” Adlfinger said. “I’ve visited some of the guys that graduated last year.”
Chavez-Ortega also has ambitions for his teammates after college. “I want everyone to go their separate ways and establish themselves, but to come back for golf outings or go to each other’s weddings, and just being there for each other.”
