Cross country plans to build on success

By Joey Schwindt
Sports Writer

It’s that time of year again when the LCC men’s and women’s cross country teams are spiking up for the new season.

Aspirations are at a high for the men’s team coming off a 2023 campaign which ended in bringing home the school’s eighth cross country national title.

“Both teams seem to have good comradery, and you can tell our athletes themselves are enthusiastic about the season,” LCC Head Coach James Robinson said.

Quite a few stars are currently dealing with injuries to start the season, including the top two sophomore returners from last season, Evan Suydam and Quaid Schimetz. The latter earned All-America honors last year.

“There’s some pressure with being hurt right now, but I feel like it gives me the best opportunity to coach people and not have to focus on myself,” Schimetz said.

The men’s team has a total of 20 runners, including eight returners and 12 newcomers.

Returning athletes are Koda Brandt, Julian Edwards, Joe Kadluboski, Cameron Pierce, Tomas Rampe, Schimetz, Joey Schwindt and Suydam.

Freshman athletes include Michael Allen, Nate Carmody, Jesse Carson, Connor Fountain, Lucas Hopkins, Aiden James, Caleb Laboe, Eden Lampi, Ben March, Matthew Schrauben, Jackson Sinicropi and Logan Zahn.

LCC cross country team members await the start of a time trial in Potterville.  Photo by Danny Smith


On the other side of things, the Lansing women are looking to improve on a 14th-place finish at the national meet last season.

The women will plan to do so with an influx of new recruits entering the mix, all of whom seem poised to put in the work necessary to have a great season.

The women’s team has a total of eight runners, with five of them being newcomers.

Returning from last year’s squad are Lily Kogut, Reyna Rojas and Jadyn Yonchewski.

Newcomers include Paige Kloha, Rachel Owen, Jalynn Schmelter, Daisy Speet and Faith Swenor.  

“I’m looking forward to the races and seeing how good we can get,” Kogut said.

Coach Robinson mentioned the high potential of this women’s team.

 “Our women are coming off finishing top 15 in the nation; I’d like to see them get on the podium this year and possibly win another national title next year,’ Robinson said. “The women’s teams have surprised me before so I’m not counting out the possibility of them being in contention (for a national championship) either.”

Both the men’s and women’s cross-country teams open the season with a 5K on Friday, Aug. 30, competing in the Jeff Drenth Memorial Meet hosted by Central Michigan University at Shepherd High School.