Tecumseh Adams represents men’s cross-country at Nationals
Central Michigan will be represented at the NCAA Nationals for the first time since 2005.
Sophomore Tecumseh Adams has an opportunity to finish one of the best seasons by a Chippewa in recent memory Monday in Terre Haute, Ind.
“I was smiling even before I crossed the finish line,” Adams said about Regionals last week. “It was a pretty exciting moment for me. I knew I was one of the top guys in the region this year. I just had to execute and I think I did pretty well.”
Adams gives credit to director of cross-country and track Willie Randolph and assistant coach Matt Kaczor for helping him during the season.
“We’ve been working hard all year, doing workouts, doing mileage and stuff,” Adams said. “Kaczor told me if I just stay calm and collected I’ll be there at the end.”
Adams is the first runner under Randolph to qualify for Nationals.
Randolph is excited for Adams to have a chance for rewards based on his hard work and acknowledged that it’s exciting to have a runner qualify for Nationals under him.
“It feels pretty good, especially when the athlete is excited to be going to Nationals also,” Randolph said. “He has a chance for all the hard work he put in to be rewarded.”
Emotions run high for many athletes on the championship stage, and Randolph is trying to predict how Adams will feel heading into the race.
“He will be outside his comfort zone at Nationals,” Randolph said. “I think he will feel a mix of aggression and excitement, which he should. I think he is just going to go in there and do it.”
Adams is receiving a lot of support in his quest to Nationals. Not only are his coaches and teammates supporting him, but CMU’s alumni are as well.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Adams said. “I know a lot of the alumni are supporting me and supporting this team. It’s just an exciting feeling to get someone there.”
Adams’ family will also be cheering him on.
“My brother was at the last meet and he was pretty excited,” Adams said. “I saw him running around. I called my mom right after, but she had already known. She is coming to Nationals so I’m pretty excited about that.”
Adams isn’t satisfied with making it, though. He still has goals he wants to achieve.
“I want to hang with the top 40 at the beginning,” he said. “All this hard work is paying off. I’m excited about the next few years. Hopefully I’ll become All-American this year.”
