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Men's Cross Country Team Loses Some Stars
by Elizabeth Head
Daniel Amick
James Thompson
Chris Rischke
Corey Simons
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As they look ahead to the fall, the members of the Mars Hill men's cross country team are already beginning to prepare to make up for the loss of the four seniors who will not be returning. The loss of these four will make a tremendous impact on the program, as they have been called by Coach Mike Owens "the best recruiting class in the history of the cross country and track programs."
In 2002, Daniel Amick, Chris Rischke, Corey Simons, and James Thompson entered Mars Hill as freshmen. From that time, all four consistently played key roles in the enormous achievements that were attained throughout the next four years.
For four years, they were undefeated in Division II in both the South Atlantic Conference and the Southeast Region. They have been 102-0 in the SAC and 217-0 in the Region, which is composed of three conferences. They have also beaten 60 Division I schools, including the University of Alabama and the University of Maryland.
Daniel Amick, a recreation major from Swansea, SC, received numerous accolades during his running career at Mars Hill. He was a member of the All-Conference First Team twice, a member of the All-Conference Second Team once, and a member of the All-Region Team twice. He was also the SAC runner of the year for 2005. He holds five of the top ten fastest 8-kilometer times for Mars Hill and has run the second fastest 10k time in school history. He has also run the third fastest 8k in the history of the Conference. In track, Daniel holds the school records in the 5k, 3k, and the steeplechase.
Daniel will be returning to Mars Hill for a fifth year, during which he says he will be "perfecting the art of being a student." He will also be helping with the cross country team, serving as a student assistant coach. He says that being surrounded by a team of All-Conference runners helped push him every day in practice. "My success is due to the guys I had around me." He thinks that the most impressive accomplishment of the seniors is beating 60 Division I teams, and he is most proud of the group for that.
Chris Rischke, a business administration major from Oberursel, Germany, was a member of the All-Conference Second Team in 2002, and made a significant impact on Mars Hill's program all four years. He will live in Asheville next year, where he has already gotten a job at Johnson, Price and Sprinkle CPA as a staff accountant. Chris says that he has really enjoyed being a member of the cross country program; "I came in with a great group of guys…I'm glad that all of the guys from this year are going to be around next year to support the team…I'm proud to be able to say that I ran for MHC XC."
Corey Simons, from Franklin, NC, was a member of the All-Conference Second Team three times and a member of the All-Region Team once during his career at Mars Hill. His senior season was unfortunately cut short by a severe stress fracture in his shin. He will be returning for a fifth year to complete a degree in education. Corey says that he has loved being on the cross country team at Mars Hill, and he is proud to say that he has been part of the success of the program. "My teammates are some of the hardest working guys I've ever known, and it was an honor to run with them for four years."
James Thompson, a biology and sociology major from Demorest, GA, also received many accolades during his running career at Mars Hill. He was a member of the All-Conference First Team all four years, and a member of the All-Region Team for three years. He was also an Academic All-American each of his four years. James holds two of the top ten fastest 10k times in school history.
James plans to live and work in Asheville next year. He says that being a member of Mars Hill's running program was an unforgettable experience. "We have developed a strong bond from working so hard together every day. I'm especially proud of my fellow seniors and all that we have accomplished together over the last four years."
Coach Mike Owens says that these four guys have raised the bar and set the new standard for the cross country program. "I've never coached such a group of hard working, successful guys. It has been an honor to work with them, and they will be missed."
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