Men’s Cross Country Team Identity: Women’s Cross Country Team Identity: Goal: To Develop a TEAM (family) which establishes a SAFE and FUN environment for the student/athlete to SUCCEED athletically and competitively on the Conference and National level, while helping the student/athlete to grow and improve ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY, and most importantly SPIRITUALLY, with their relationship with God and Jesus Christ. FOUR TENANTS OF WHITWORTH TRACK AND FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY Succeed Athletically - Team and Individually Succeed Academically - Student / Athlete Grow Socially - Love Others Grow Spiritually - Love God
Why We Play Division III Athletics It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making Sports Center. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don't even know. We don't practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don't lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO. It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand. Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first. We don't sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a kick or strike out, we don't let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is still the same. We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class we are nothing more than students. It's about pride--in ourselves, in our school. It's about our love and passion for the game. And when it's over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. We will forever be what few can claim... college athletes. Sean Sornsin (baseball)
Why Whitworth University Why Whitworth academically: Classes at Whitworth help students be successful. In my past four years here I have only taken three classes that were over 35 students. This has allowed me easy access to the professor of the course. Many times I have been invited to professors homes for study sessions. If the student makes the time the professor will be there to help. Why Whitworth Track and Field/Cross Country: Having been recruited by many Division I schools, Whitworth was the only school where I knew the head coach had a hand in my training. It was the only team I found that everyone on the team was important. The team becomes like a big family. It is an unbelievable experience to run in a meet and have the entire team lined on the track cheering you on. The Whitworth team does that. It is not because they have to, but because they want to. In an individualized sport Whitworth has made a team that is not only successful on the track competing, but is very successful in creating bonds among the teammates. Brandon Howell – 08'
I chose Whitworth because it was a well balanced Christian School with very good academic and athletic programs. It seemed the best place to go if I wanted to continue to compete in sports. I have chosen to be apart of the track and field team because of the dedicated coaches and athletes in the program who have helped me excel to my fullest potential. I wanted to be a part of a team, and Whitworth Track and Field is a team in every meaning of the word. Ben Spaun – 08'
I originally came to Whitworth to play football and wasn't sure about going out for track my freshman year. I didn't feel as if I was strong enough in my event to compete at the university level. After talking to Toby a couple of times and meeting some of the people on the team, I decided to go for it. These past couple years of track have been some of the most fun sports seasons of my life. The team is awesome and the coaches are amazing. Not only are they amazing people and fun to be around, but they know so much and help you improve to levels that you didn't know you would be able to. I've improved almost 45 feet in two years in the javelin and not once have I regretted the decision I made freshman year to join Whitworth track. Kory Kemp – 09'
One of the reasons I initially chose Whitworth is that the professors make a point of being available to students and work with students to help them succeed in all areas of their lives. Being on the track team has solidified my choice in Whitworth. Any athletic program can provide what you need to excel in your sport, but Whitworth's track program has even more to offer on top of that. Our coaches work with us and hold us to high standards as individual athletes, while at the same time stressing the importance of competing as a team. One of the best aspects about the track program is that it is more of a family than a team--we push each other, encourage each other, and develop friendships with each other. My overall experience at Whitworth has been made complete not only by the classes I have taken, but also by the lessons I have learned and the relationships I have established while being on the track team. Katy Lane – 08'
When I was looking at college choices, I knew I wanted to attend a private Christian college that would challenge me academically and provide an opportunity for me to run track. Originally Whitworth wasn't even a consideration, since my brother was already at Whitworth and I didn't want it to seem like I was following my older brother. The summer before my senior year, I visited numerous schools, including Willamette and Linfield, and talked to numerous advisors and coaches. None seemed to compare to what I knew about Whitworth. Eventually my mom suggested I visit Whitworth, "just in case." After meeting and touring campus with Toby and Erik Brucker I knew I wanted to be part of the Whitworth Track and Field TEAM. Toby had emphasized that although track is often considered an individual sport, track at Whitworth would be a TEAM sport. After being part of the TEAM for the last three years, I've realized the validity in the TEAM aspect. The TEAM is like a family; we are all in it together to push ourselves to be and do our best, whether academically, athletically, spiritually, or socially, and I'm so thankful I've had the chance to be a part of it. Kristen Dormaier – 08' |
