DSU at Augustana Twilight Track Meet: Insights from Coach Dylan
After a two-year absence, the cross-country team of Dakota State University made its exciting return for the Augustana Twilight Track Meet hosted at the Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls. Head Coach Dylan, who has been attached to the DSU program since 2011 in track and field, felt quite proud of how well the athletes had been running this season.
A Fine Start to the Season
“This was a great start to the season,” an extremely proud Coach Dylan said. Compared to times at other past meets, the DSU team did better than ever, both men’s and women’s teams started well. The men had a pack of runners come in not too far from each other, which indicates their combined improvement as they head toward the conference championships.
Meanwhile, the women’s team placed one of its highest finishes in meet history and nearly chased down Concordia University, Nebraska, which is ranked 20th in the NAIA.
Coaching Philosophy
The foundation of Coach Dylan’s coaching philosophy is helping athletes reach their full potential while having fun. “Anything you do in life that you want to be good at requires hard work and dedication,” he said. He wants to create an atmosphere where athletes look forward to practice despite the challenges that come with competing at a high level. Building camaraderie and creating a supportive atmosphere is key to this process.
Unique Atmosphere of the Augustana Twilight Meet
One thing that differentiates the Augustana Twilight Track Meet from all others is the fact that it is at night. Most cross-country races occur during the day, but this meet is under the lights. “The course is lined with glow sticks and part of the course is in darkness which makes it both fun and challenging,” Dylan said.
With thousands of spectators and multiple races, the meet is intense and unlike typical cross-country events. “It’s a very different experience from the smaller meets where athletes might run alone for stretches. Here, you’re always surrounded by noise, energy, and competition.”
With the impressive performance at the Augustana Twilight, the DSU team has started to prepare for the coming events, and one of the biggest ones is the Gans Creek Cross Country Classic led by the University of Missouri. This event is even more imperative because it will host this year’s national championships in November. “We’re excited to go down there and see how we stack up against top NAIA teams,” said Dylan.
Coach Dylan emphasized the importance of pacing the team’s training and preparation for the peak of the season, in early November during the conference championships. A balancing act on the team’s workload and ensuring the athletes are at their best fitness levels when it matters most is a challenging yet important part of cross-country coaching.
This return to the Augustana Twilight Track Meet was strong and full of inspiration for DSU with personal bests and high finishes that could mean great things for the rest of this season. The DSU team, under the mentorship of Coach Dylan, continued to grow and push the limits by keeping their eyes on conference and national success.
Coach Dylan said, “It’s about maximizing potential, enjoying the journey, and peaking at the right time.” With this mindset, DSU’s cross-country team has great prospects this season.
