Cross Country Research Paper

Every fall in cities and towns across the country you will find groups of young men and women training at a sport that tests the body and the heart. This sport is known as cross country. On its surface cross country should be a simple sport to prepare for, the reality however is far different. To learn more about this sport coach Jerry Baltes, the head cross country coach for Grand Valley State University was interview. Though this interview essential information about coaching cross country was obtained. The four key points that were gained from coach Baltes were, the training principles of cross country, the necessity to build a strong team dynamic, the importance of race day preparation, and the process of gradual improvement in cross country.

The concept of team in an individual sport may seem insignificant, but in cross country it’s essential to building and sustaining an excellent program. Its importance is key in recruiting, especially at the high school level where it may be the only thing that can get certain kids to run. Its importance can also be seen in a race, and may allow an athlete to go above his normal level of performance if he believes he is running for the team and not just himself. It is because of these reasons that a strong team dynamic is essential to success in the sport of cross

He has been the head coach of Grand Valley State for eighteen years. He began his career in distance runner in middle school, he then transitioned into high school where he had great success. This success lead him to Butler University where he was the captain of his collegiate cross country team. After he finished running at Butler he transitioned into a coaching role where he helped to lead Butler’s cross country team to the national championship meet (). He then left Butler and arrived at Grand Valley State in 1999. Since arriving at Grand Valley State he has won 6 national titles in Cross Country and Track, as well as 79 of 96 league titles since 1999. It is due to this incredible success as both a runner and a coach that he was a perfect candidate to be