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Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Lauren Brightmore, Student Sports Information Assistant)
Nov. 15, 2010 - North Central College senior Michael Spain never takes a day off. With that kind of work ethic, it is no wonder that the economics and finance major was runner-up at the NCAA Division III National Cross Country Championships last season. Blazing through the 8,000-meter (five-mile) race with a time of 25 minutes, 32 seconds, Michael and his teammates were able to bring North Central College the first of three national championship titles (men's cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field) for the 2009-2010 year.
But that was last season—and while the team has a winning attitude, they refuse to rest on the laurels of the 2009 squad. With a new set of varsity runners, the 2010 team has experienced their own streak of success. Michael has been very impactful in leading the team to first place finishes at both the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship and the Midwest Regional Championship. Individually, he has placed first at both events, running 24:06 at Regionals. Michael was also the Midwest Regional champion last year, making him the first Cardinal to earn back-to-back individual titles since 1999.
Winning back-to-back titles comes as no surprise though, when one looks at the various honors and highlights throughout Michael's career at North Central. This season alone, He received CCIW Runner of the Week honors four times. Other honors include: All-Conference, All-Region, USTFCCA (U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association) Midwest Region Runner of the Year, two-time All-American in cross country, and four-time All-American in track and field. When asked about his successes, Michael is incredibly humble, putting the spotlight on the team and stressing importance of running for something bigger than yourself. His selflessness and dedication to the team will certainly help this weekend as the team heads to Waverly, Iowa, for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships.
Get to Know Michael Spain
Q: When did you first become involved in running?
A: Junior high, but I didn't take it seriously then. When I got into high school, I did cross country to stay in shape for wrestling. Eventually, I quit wrestling because I like running more.
Q: In 2008 the team finished second at the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships. What did it take for the team to secure first place in 2009?
A: It was an attitude. We finished the '08 season second, and while we were proud of that, no one was really satisfied. But for the 2009 season we didn't change anything in our training—we just continued working the same way as the previous year.
Q: What sets North Central's cross country program apart from other collegiate programs?
A: Our team is very large, but what sets us apart from other teams is that we expect to win. We don't get too psyched up or anything, but winning is an expectation for us. I don't know how we got that way, but it's something that you build while being here. It's the culture.
Q: What is your own personal goal for the season now that it is ending?
A: My goal is to have another team championship, especially because this year' we have a totally different team. To do what we did last year, with a new set of guys, would be really cool.
Q: You work for Naperville Running Company. What is it like working there?
A: The people there are very nice. The best part is that I am able to work with coworkers and customers who share the same interests as me. It's a lot of fun.
Q: Do you have a favorite brand of shoes?
A: I have three favorites: Saucony, New Balance, and Nike.
Q: What is it like to compete against NCAA Division I and other scholarship teams—and beat them?
A: It's fun, I'm not going to lie. Still, I don't like to think of those athletes differently, even though I know that there's a certain feeling that goes with Division III athletics. I kind like to disprove what most people think when we face other teams because really it's just runners against runners. And when we actually prove that concept and shock people, I find satisfaction in that.
Q: As a cross country and track and field athlete, you have no off-season. How are you able to manage running with your schoolwork?
A: I don't think about it really. You get into a pattern and then you stick with the pattern. Because the sports are so similar, our practice schedule doesn't change which is nice. We wake up, we run, and then once we're done running it's all about school. It's part of our lifestyle.
Q: Which do you prefer: cross country or track and field?
A: I like cross country better. The racing strategy is different, and it's based more off of feel, rather than time. There are a lot more moves to make in cross country, and you also have the team aspect. You really count on your teammates in cross country, so if one guy falls down, someone else will pick them up. You also run with the same guys every week, and the race is the same length.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories of cross country and track?
A: There are so many! Cross country taking second my sophomore year at nationals was profound because we felt what it was like to bring the program back. Also at the Outdoor National Track and Field Championships, it was fun to go 1-2 in the 10k with Kyle Brady. It was great last year to see our cross country and track and field programs brought back to dominance with three national championships. I even have favorite day-to-day memories like going on 13 -mile hard runs with all the guys. Those memories stick in my head as much as the other stuff.
Q: Are you looking forward to having some competition coming up at Nationals?
A: I am, but the team goal is always the main goal, so I think I'll have to be safer. We knew we were going to win conference, but my running style will probably be a little different come nationals.
Q: How do you stay motivated during a race?
A: Oh, staying motivated at the middle of the race isn't hard because you have your teammates. I'm running for my teammates, I'm running for the coaches, I'm running because I love it. The pain in the middle of the race isn't that bad compared to what you're really doing it for. It's pretty easy.
Q: What is your typical pre-race meal?
A: I like to do pasta before a race, but marinara sauce gives me heartburn. So I stay away from the sauce the night before, and eat plain pasta.
Q: Is there a team you're watching out for at nationals?
A: All of them. although we'd rather have teams looking at us, not the other way around. You don't single out a team and run after them because every time you focus on them, you've given them the upper hand. So just running our own race, and being at the right spots during the race is a better plan than chasing other teams down.
Q: What are your plans once you graduate?
A: I don't know actually. I'm trying to look for jobs now, so I can set everything up and then decide what I want to do come June. In terms of athletics, I know that I would like to continue running after college. I don't know how seriously though. Right now I'm keeping my options open. I would like to run a marathon though, probably Chicago, and see what I could do.
Q: If you had to choose, who would you say is your favorite runner on the women's cross country team?
A: Oh my gosh there are so many of them! I love all of them (laughs). Amanda Laesch is definitely up there along with Colleen Burzynski and Amy Schwent. Those are my top three.
Q: Do you ever take a day off?
A: No. I had a nasty streak going for a while, a little over two years, but then I couldn't run. Mono busted me. I took off a week for that.
