DRAGON ATHLETICS
News
Extra work pays off for MSUM squad
HEATH HOTZLER
The Forum
Minnesota State University Moorhead cross country coach Keith Barnier is calling it the "Halfway to Mexico campaign."
At the urging of distance coach Clay Twigg, the Dragons men's and women's teams ran 800 miles during the summer to prepare for the season.
"They just made a commitment," Barnier said. "They showed a lot of character. They cracked the code and they trained as hard as they neededto."
Barnier added a few things to his summer program this year in an effort to help his runners improve at a faster pace.
Along with the miles, MSUM hosted a weeklong camp for its cross country runners at a resort in Park Rapids, Minn.
Barnier said the idea was suggested by Concordia men's track and field coach Garrick Larson.
The Dragons had previously held a weekend camp in the Twin Cities.
"It worked out very well," Barnier said. "That's when I knew this group was going to be very special."
Led by Scott Egeberg, Kyle Eckhoff, Adam Kne, David Teige and Erik Hanson, the MSUM men tied for first with NCAA Division I South Dakota State at the Bison Invitational last Friday. Five men's teams competed in the invitational. Egeberg finished second, covering the 6K course in 20 minutes, 36.56 seconds.
"They want to win as bad as anybody," Barnier said. "They are doing the work and they have high expectations. They are not just talking about it, they are doing it."
Siverson fills in as Cobber goalkeeper
The Concordia men's soccer team was handed an early setback when starting goalkeeper Mads Schmidt broke his hand during the season opener.
Schmidt was injured when a Nebraska Wesleyan player stepped on his hand as he attempted a save.
The Cobbers, who led 1-0 when Schmidt was forced to the sideline just 15 minutes into the season, turned to freshman midfielder Tyler Siverson to fill in.
Siverson had not played goalkeeper since junior high school, but finished with eight saves against Nebraska Wesleyan in a 2-1 overtime loss.
He made five saves in a 3-0 loss to Luther.
"His attitude is really relaxed, which is perfect for that kind of situation," Cobbers coach Dan Weiler said. "He did awesome."
Schmidt has surgery Monday and should miss three to four weeks.
Weiler picked Kirby Johnson to start in net until Schmidt returns.
Siverson will likely move back to the midfield for the rest of the season, Weiler said.
Odds and ends
MSUM receiver Jovaughn Harris will not play Saturday against Mayville State due to his suspension for a shoplifting arrest, Dragons coach Damon Tomeo said. Tomeo said Harris could miss the entire season. ... Minnesota, Crookston freshman midfielder Kelsey Palmer had three goals and two assists in a 15-0 win against Presentation College.
Readers can reach Heath Hotzler at (701) 241-5562 or hhotzler@forumcomm.com. Hotzler's small college blog can be found at www.areavoices.com
