BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – We continue this year's Inside Athletics series, Presented by Alabama Power, with cross-country coach Chad Balyo.
 
The men's and women's cross-country teams will compete in the Southern Conference Championships Sunday in Charleston, S.C. The teams have each competed in four meets so far this season, showing steady improvement throughout the season. Balyo talked about the improvement he has seen from his squads so far this season.
 
"I've seen a lot of growth over the last eight to 10 weeks of training, just athletes growing, learning," Balyo said. "It's been fun to see. I'm really excited for these next two-to-three weeks of championship season. They're doing a good job, we're prepared, we're ready to go. There has been a whole lot of individual highlights over the course of the last eight weeks that I'm excited to build upon."
 
The women's team is currently ranked 12^th in the South Region of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association. Balyo talked about what has led to the success the women's team has enjoyed.
 
"I think we're experienced now," Balyo said. "McKenzie Hogue has been in our program for four years. Athletes like Mary Kellison Thorne, a fifth-year senior, Katie Strozier, a fourth-year senior, Harper McGowan, a third year, these girls know what to expect now. They've been through it and now there's not going to be any surprises over the next two to three weeks, we know what's going to come our way. That's been fun to be around, coaching those girls because we can take it to the next level. They're just more prepared and experienced and I think that's going to be very valuable coming up here in the next couple of weeks."
 
The men's program is a very young team that has made strides throughout the season. Balyo gave his thoughts on the men's side of things.
 
"We're young for sure," Balyo said. "The 8K distance is new to a lot of our guys. We do have a team a little bit more catered towards mid distance on the track, but these guys are hungry and excited. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do during championship season. The SoCon Championships' 8K comes down to that last 3K to who has the most grit, hunger, focus, those three factors. I know that they are hungry for it, and we've been talking about this for a long time. I'm excited to see what they can pull off."
 
Balyo discussed a couple of freshmen who have caught his eye on the course this season.
 
"A young lady, Gabbie Hoots, she's been doing a fantastic job," Balyo said. "She got off to a little bit of a late start with a little bit of an injury heading into her fall campaign. She's really caught some momentum and is racing really well right now and she's excited to get after it and she's fit right now and I'm excited about her. On the guys' side, Andrew McGinnis is another freshman from Columbus, Georgia. I think he's got the talent and the tools to be a really huge contributor to our team and to be a No. 1 or No. 2 guy for us. I think him getting a taste of championship season is going to be important, but he's had some good, quality 8Ks, but I do believe his best runs are in front of him."
 
Balyo talked about his goals and expectations heading into Sunday's SoCon Championships.
 
"On the women's side our goal is always going to be to be top two in the conference and each year get a little bit closer to Furman," Balyo said. "We know what they're going to do, they're going to go out hard and fast, so not being surprised by that and being ready for it and getting a little bit closer to them every year. We've been top two on the women's side for the last three years and we want to continue to build on that streak of being top two. And then on the men's side, being competitive. I think we could be anywhere from second to sixth. It's going to be a tight battle, it's going to come down to individual wars with 100-150 meters to go. So, taking advantage of all 8K, running smart, running patient, but being tough, getting to that point in the race where you're hurt and whoever wants it more is going to be the team who ends up taking advantage of that second and third place spot."
 
The cross-country teams in the Southern Conference have shown a lot of improvements over the last couple of years. Balyo talked about the state of the sport in the SoCon.
 
"The conference as a whole, in cross-country has gotten a lot better," Balyo said. "A lot of scholarship money is being invested in the distance side of things in our conference. Everybody, really is a school we need to be watching out for."
 
After the SoCon Championships will be NCAA Regionals. Balyo talked a little bit about what he hopes to see from his team at the regional meets.
 
"We want to be top 10 at the regional meet on the women's side," Balyo said. "That's a goal we've been talking about dating back to the end of track season. Top 10 in the South Region is a very respectable thing to do as a distance program and a goal that I think should be attainable here every year. We are, I think, in a position where we're heading into a regional meet, heading into a championship meet which we are prepared to do those things. It's going to take a total team effort but we're looking forward to the challenge."
 
Fans can follow the SoCon Championships online at the following link: LIVE RESULTS.


 
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