North Central College’s cross-country team has been one of the best in Division III for several decades, but what many might not know is a special tradition that cross-country runners have – their necklaces and bracelets.
The tradition of wearing a necklace or bracelet started in the late ’90s, when the varsity section of cross-country were allowed to create a necklace that consisted of beads.
But, in more recent times, specifically 2009, any member of the team who scored in the conference was given the opportunity to create one. They were limited to a stripe pattern, and colors consisting of only red and white. The beads are made of plastic, and are handed out by a varsity member.
Runners’ necklaces and bracelets do not only represent the fact that they were able to score in conference, but they also represent the bond that the runners have with one another.
“You don’t have to wear the necklaces if you scored and you don’t want to…. It’s more of a bond created between the runners,” said Zach Hird, a runner who proudly wears his beads.
Those who create a necklace or bracelet never take them off. They wear them 24/7. “It was weird at first, but as time went on, I barely noticed that I was wearing it,” said Hird.
Another interesting fact is that the coaches, even head coach Al Carius, did not know that his runners had started the tradition. The history of how the tradition started may remain a secret, but it doesn’t look like the runners will stop wearing their trophies any time soon.
These beads have become a proud tradition that the runners possess. These pieces of jewelry represent how skilled our runners are and are also a strong symbol of their team spirit and North Central pride.
