Cross country has started on the right foot

By Arbogast, Brandon, October 5, 2016

By Kaitlyn Creekmore// Staff Writer

High Point University’s cross country teams have started off the season strong. The men’s team has finished second out of six at the Elon Opener, 10th out of 15 at the Coast-to-Coast battle, and third out of 14 at the Greensboro Invitational. The women have also had an impressive start, finishing third out of seven at the Elon Opener, ninth out of 17 at the Adidas Challenge, and first out of 14 at the Greensboro Invitational.

This year, the women’s team has a new head coach. Although this is the first time Remy Tamer has been in a coaching position at HPU, he is very familiar with the school. He was recruited to HPU as an athlete in 2006 and has seen the program become established with time.

“I was aware of the reputation that the university and it’s [program] had been building over the years,” said Tamer. “I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this movement.”

Tamer has strong goals set for the team this year, but they are not tangible titles. His focus is on inspiring the athletes and helping them become well rounded individuals.

“I hope that I am able to inspire student athletes to be great at something,” Tamer said. “[I want them to] lead a healthy lifestyle with performance in mind [and to] manage their time wisely. If I can accomplish this, winning any championship will be the easy part.”

Senior Chernet Sisay has found success as he was named one of HPU’s student athletes of the week in September, winning his first collegiate race at the Greensboro Invitational on Sept. 24. With it being his final season at HPU, Sisay looks forward to the conference meet at the end of the season.

“In some ways I see that I’m on a mission to prove myself wrong,” Sisay said. “Missing out on all conference last year [by one spot], [has] motivated me to really do well this year and trust that process and the training.”

Senior Cozette Collin is also looking forward to her final season on the team. She has her sights set on the big race at the end of the year, and looks to improve from last year.

“I would like to podium,” Collin said. “I feel like that’s realistic within our conference.”

Before big races Sisay says that he likes to stay loose. He has developed a routine week after week that he sticks to before big races. He has to trust in himself that he’s ready. In order to say out of his own head, he keeps things light among the team.

“I try to make jokes, listen to music, [and] try not to think about the race until it starts,” Sisay said. “Until then you’ll see me laughing and listening to my jam.”

Collin knew from a very young age that she loved running and wanted to compete at the collegiate level one day. Growing up in Canada, her dream was to come to the U.S.

“I’ve been running since I was nine,” Collin said. “I wanted to go to a university [in the U.S.] when I was 12, and I’ve been working towards that.”

Injuries have plagued Sisay’s career, but like many dedicated athletes, he has never let them stop him from reaching his goals.

“I do this for me,” Sisay said. “In some ways it’s a love-hate relationship. Since high school when I realized I was talented, I knew I wanted to do it at the collegiate level, and as time went on I realized that talent is Division 1 level.”

Sisay has an impeccable drive that cannot be taught. His passion for the sport speaks for itself, and he tries to share that with his younger teammates, as his older teammates did with him.

“I think what we are trying to accomplish is being a good leader to the young guys,” Sisay said. “[We] make them realize if they keep grinding while most people are asleep [that] it becomes worth it. Nobody wants to get up at 5:30 a.m. and be at practice by 6 a.m. This is a lesson I will take with me after life after High Point – the grind really never stops if you really want something.”

Collin has learned many valuable lessons from running cross country that she will take into the real world for the rest of her life.

Tamer believes that the athletes’ careers should be guided by their principles and life lessons. He hopes to impart wisdom to his runners and help them understand that the principles of life are directly applicable to those in sport.

“Interestingly, I have found that it’s the life lessons that you attempt to coach,” Tamer said. “If you coach the person, the athlete will form in conjunction.”

Tamer also understands that life is always changing, and it’s impossible to achieve perfection. Tamer feels that you should always do your best, and that’s as much as he can ask.

“Control the control-ables,” Tamer said. “Narrow your focus to the things you can control, do them well, and do them with great passion.”

With an incredible start to the season, the both teams hope to keep up the hard work for the rest of the season.