RU Cross Country in 2020: Running With a Purpose

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

WALESKA, Ga. – To say that preparations for fall competition has been harsh is an understatement, not only at Reinhardt, but for colleges and universities from coast to coast.

For Eagle cross country, planning a schedule has been the toughest part of getting ready for 2020 because many of the big invitational meets the program has done in the past couple of years have canceled – and in most seasons – the hometown team doesn't see many conference squads until the AAC meet.

COVID-19, however, has caused that to change.

"This year, we've had to rally together and support each other in hosting a running dual or tri-meet in order to get a season in," head coach Jordan Turner said. "We are fortunate to have great cross country coaches In the AAC that have all stepped up to support each other in this process of scheduling meets to give our athletes a chance to compete."

With the schedule of races taking shape, the student-athletes have had to adapt their practice habits due to unprecedented restrictions and the unknown of what's next. Turner said the situation has certainly made their actions more intentional in the day-to-day operations.

The team is also committed to doing its best to follow mitigation strategies to the best of its ability.

"Being a sport that conducts practices and competitions outdoors certainly helps, but we can't let that make us comfortable," Turner said. "We've taken the steps to conduct meetings, start and end practice and do our strength and core workouts in an outside setting when possible."

Cross country is in a position to start the season off on the right foot, all while being a leader on campus for not only the rest of the Reinhardt teams, but the entire student body.

Turner wants his team and all RU clubs to be able to compete this fall and spring, so it's imperative to take ownership of the idea that everyone controls the ability to do that. 

"The actions of our team not only affect us but could potentially affect others around us," Turner said. "I would look to all approximately 650 student-athletes as leaders for our entire campus. What we do will have the biggest impact on whether we have athletics this fall and spring. 

 "I've been very pleased with our entire team's attitude and actions during this time. As with anything new, it's easy to find rejection or push back, but I have seen neither with the new protocols. In some ways, I think it gives everyone a sense of togetherness as we all go through the same things together. Practices look different, team meetings have changed, our space for meeting has shifted but everyone is in it together and facing the same challenge for the first time; a senior and a freshman are going through the same time of uncertainty together."

The student-athlete experience has certainly changed a lot in the last five months, however, the thrill of victory remains unchanged.

That alone should give hope to everyone on Reinhardt's campus, but also a word of caution.

"The reality is that we can only control what our teams do in order to ensure we have a season," Turner said. "We will do everything to the best of our ability to mitigate the risk; but if others don't – at Reinhardt and across our conference – we won't make it to those games." 

For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram. 

For more information on Reinhardt Men's Cross Country, please click here, and Reinhardt Women's Cross Country here.