Dan Williams/Collegian
The men's cross country team runs along a country road during practice Wednesday.
The cross country team is a group of exceptional young men. The team is ranked 11th nationally and finished second last weekend at the GLIAC conference meet. These Chargers also excel in the classroom with a team grade point average well-above a 3.0.
But these numbers and stats are only the result of what is truly outstanding about these competitors: their hearts. With humility, determination, sincerity and faith, many of the Charger runners take on each challenge of life in the context of God's guidance and the opportunities He's given them.
"Faith-you do what you can, you work hard, you put in the running, and then you just trust God with what happens," senior Michael Nikkila said.
As two of the strongest runners, seniors Michael Nikkila and Kyle Fugimoto lead the Charger team, but it is their determined attitudes and beliefs that are truly representative of this squad. Fugimoto finished 7th and Nikkila 8th in the conference.
"Not only are Michael and Kyle two of the best runners, but they are men of God-examples for everyone on the team," said junior Scott Kallgren who finished 16th in the conference.
"God is what gets me through every race, every practice, every test," Fugimoto said. "He's the reason why I run; He's the reason I am able to run, to do anything."
Bible studies are held where teammates meet together. This spiritually strengthens the team but also creates an unusually close bond among the runners.
"They encourage me and it's inspiring to work with them," said head cross country coach Bill Lundberg, "They're very humble guys, who want to display their faith in action, to honor God in what they do."
The nature of cross country is a paradox: running is done alone, performance being on an individual level, and yet the comradery of the runners is unlike any other, closer relationships, and unique friendships.
"Runners tend to have an odd bond. You're out there, doing the same thing with your bodies and minds, mentally, spiritually, pushing your limits, together, spending so much time," Nikkila said. "The experience strengthens a relationship, and it is where you grow together."
"There is a lot of time alone," Fugimoto said. "Whenever I want to think, to meditate on what God is doing in my life, I go for a run. It's a time to be out in God's creation, a good setting for thought and praise of Him."
In competition the friendships between teammates becomes a huge motivation.
"You look for that lightening bolt," said Fugimoto. "When you run with your friends you don't let them down, you work hard for them."
The cross country men live together in "the farmhouse," a housing tradition that has been carried on for years by the Charger runners. The closeness of the team attributes greatly to their success.
"We share something together. I love my teammates, they're awesome. We're not similar guys, which makes for a diverse house, and a lot of fun." Nikkila said.
The cross runners find that the discipline required for running applies also to their studies.
"In both cross and school you have to keep a good foundation." Nikkila said. "If you put off studying, and put off reading, you fall behind-you can get through, but it's difficult and you can't come out where you want to be."
Through cross country this group of competitors has found friendship, challenge, and a place to learn and grow.
"Our sport is special, the persistence and perseverance, the emotional and spiritual, these are things that carry us in our lives," Lundberg said. "The best runners have a lot of heart. How they think and where they focus themselves is vital."
"One thing I've learned from cross country is patience." Nikkila said. "You're not going to be at the top right away. It takes work, patience, perseverance."
With leaders like Fugimoto and Nikkila and the Charger squad, these runners find success on many levels.
"The bar is raised on a team with such fine runners-they're hungry to win." Lundberg said. "Ability may get you to the top, but character keeps you there."
The stakes are high as the cross country men enter into Regionals in hopes of qualifying for the national meet, but their balance of faith and hard work will see them through.
"You just have to trust God-and what He has for you." Nikkia said. "If you do all you can and the result is not what you expected, then maybe there's something better, maybe God has something else for you."