Ryan Ditty - The Battalion
From L-R: Freshmen Jon Wroblewsk, Brian Lind and Joe Sauvegeau.

Going the distance

Running seldom gets old for the Aggie cross country team

By: Michael Steele

Posted: 9/14/06

For most people, the idea of getting out of bed every morning at the break of dawn to go run for two hours in the infamous College Station humidity is less than appealing. But for members of the Texas A&M cross country team, it is the part of the day that they often look forward to.

There aren't many people who can really understand the attraction of this particular sport, but for senior distance runner J.P. Machemehl and his teammates, the appeal of cross country running has always been clear.

"Besides hearing my alarm clock go off at 5:15 every morning, I just like getting up and feeling like I've accomplished something," Machemehl said. "I've always been a morning person. I like getting up early and I love the challenge of a workout and being competitive. Waking up early and having a good workout are really just my two favorite things to do."

During his three years at A&M, Machemehl has been a very important asset to the success of the Aggie cross country program. In 2005, he never finished worse than third on the team all season. Machemehl also proved his talents last year by claiming the title of collegiate champion at the 2005 Texas A&M Invitational and also by finishing first on the A&M team at the NCAA South Central Regional.

Despite Machemehl's success and growth within the program, there are other aspects of the sport that he and his teammates love. Texas A&M cross country has a lot more to offer than a successful and competitive staff.

Sophomore teammate Mitch Bible revealed some insight to the comradery and the friendships that develop within the program and that make this A&M team so special.

"We are all real tight on the team," Bible said. "Everyone pretty much lives together within the grades. I live with some of the other sophomores and we have barbecues together and that kind of thing. We also go on trips pretty much every weekend. So we'll often spend a weekend in a hotel or something. It's a lot of fun."

After three years, Machemehl has also experienced some of this unique bonding between teammates.

"I really couldn't have asked for better friends with the people I know in cross-country and track here. I've loved every minute of it," Machemehl said.

While the sport of cross-country hasn't attracted nearly as much attention and popularity as other A&M programs like football or basketball, the athletes have certainly earned some respect with the high intensity of the training and hard work that they put in all year round.

For Machemehl and other long distance runners, this summer's off season was in no way a laid back vacation.

"This summer coach had written us out a workout plan," Machemehl said. "Me and a few other guys have been working our butts off, running an average of 90 plus miles a week to prepare for this season."

According to Machemehl, though, the hard work has definitely paid off. This year's team is looking very promising.

"We came back here and I was very excited about the team and the new freshman squad coming in," Machemehl said. "Everyone just seemed really strong. We are going to be a lot better than last year."

So far, Machemehl's observations have been spot on. A&M just wrapped up its first event last weekend in New Mexico, where the women's team took home first place over 13 very talented schools.

Freshman Merideth Snow, from Eureka, Mo., turned a lot of heads in the 6,000 meter event as she finished seven seconds in front of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place runners.

"I was really excited," Snow said. "But to be honest, I didn't really know what to expect, because it was all new competition and a different distance for me. I have never really run a 6k before. So with all those different factors, I was real excited to come out on top and also to see how well the team did. It has showed us that we still have a lot of work to do, but it definitely gave us confidence that we have a really solid team this year."