Olivet College Echo- September 22, 1976

Comet harriers headed in right direction

If getting up early and running, running, and running some more sounds like fun, maybe cross country is just the thing to look for. New track and field coach Clifford Larkins heads a group of individuals determined to bring success to Olivet's cross country program.

Coach Larkins has been involved with track and field most of his life. At age ten he participated in the Youth Fitness Games in his hometown, Highland Park, Michigan, and specialized in the triple jump.  Later, as a student at Highland Park High School, he learned the long jump since Highland Park didn't have the triple jump in its track program. Larkins was able to return to the triple jump when he attended Eastern Michigan University, where he set school records in that event.

Larkins returned to Highland Park High to coach track when his college days ended and came to Olivet from there. He finds the small college atmosphere an ideal one for students and would recommend it over a larger one, such as the University of Michigan. He contends that there is more "teaching" done at a small school and favors Olivet's many traditions.

A good cross country runner, according to Larkins, must "love to run." Physically, one should be slim and have great endurance. Intelligence is a key, as Larkins noted that two of his runners have a 4.00 grade point average and others are well above 3.00.

Comet cross country runners are up and running at 6:00 a.m., covering at least five miles. Another workout takes place each afternoon when team members may run an additional twelve miles.

Coach Larkins believes it is important to establish team unity, though cross country is primarily an individual sport. He finds this season's squad a close-knit group, and a good working unit has been formed. Larkins encourages each team member to be sure they know exactly why they run cross country and what they expect to get out of it. Once these questions are answered it makes his job as coach somewhat easier.

Western Michigan University's invitational meet was the first test for the cross country team this year. Though no official team scores were recorded, Coach Larkins felt "individual times were good for the first time out. The team has great potential," he pointed out, "and is showing improvement." The coach confidently stated that the team will "win our share."

Calvin supplies the next competition for the cross country team, hosting a meet on September 29. The next home action is a confrontation with Adrian on October 16.

October 6, 1976 - Olivet College Echo - 7

Cross Country Evaluated

Coach Larkins believes the hard part for his cross country runners could be over. They already have run a dual meet against Hope and Calvin, the strongest teams in the league in Coach Larkins opinion. From here on in Olivet should be running against teams on a level with the Comets.

Coach Larkins hopes to see improvement from each of his runners but he isn't predicting any league championship . . . this year anyway. However, in a couple of years the program hopefully will be built stronger.

"Cross country runners, Coach Larkins believes, "are the best conditioned athletes in the world." In addition to being top conditioned athletes, on the Comet squad at least, the runners are also smart. Two Comet runners have 4.0 grade averages. Dumb jocks? Not in this sport.

Strategy, as in any other sport, is important in cross country. The runners have to know the course layout. That is, where the hills are, the running surface, etc. Each course is different.

Coach Larkins believes his team has done "quite well" this season and in a couple of years will contend for the MIAA title.