MSU-Northern cross country is in the middle of its 2024 season. On Wednesday afternoon, the Frontier Conference decided to hold a midseason media day in which Lights and Skylights coach Deb Callahan, as well as runners Jaden Koon and Makaela Kelly, answered questions. Callahan’s initial impressions at the halfway point included how well her roster of nine is competing and specifically how athletes like freshman Carter Campbell, who did not run cross country at North Star High School, has been adjusting so quickly to the format.
“Our focus is still rebuilding our team,” Callahan said. “We’ve got a lot of young runners that are adjusting from the 5K to the 6K to the 8K (races).”
“Two of these freshmen haven’t had the opportunity to run cross country and they’re doing really well,” Callahan continued. “Our challenges right now (include) continuing to recruit and getting our teams full.”
While also recapping the first part of the season, Northern also took the direction of looking ahead to what this program can be like under Callahan, who is in her second season. Koon spoke to the foundation built under coach Callahan and how that will translate for years to come.
“The attitude when we get to practice, from day one, has been we get after it,” Koon said. “We do the best we can.”
“I think coach (Callahan) did a great job of recruiting people with character, people who care, people who want to put effort in, people who want to be here,” Koon continued. “It’s just so exciting what she’s going to have in a couple years when they’re mature and grown up and getting into it.”
There are two more meets for Northern cross country. The Lights and Skylights will run at Amend Park in Billings on Saturday for the Frontier Conference Preview, while the Frontier Conference Championship will be held at the same location on Nov. 6.
