By Ken Hansard
Eisenhower High Cross Country Coach Drew Strickert expects big things for his girls’ teams this fall. “I expect our team to have a fantastic season. We expect both the girls and the boys’ teams to win League and to make it to the State Meet at Rim Rock.”
When asked what he feels has caused his program to reach this level of success, Coach Strickert responded, “Leadership and training. The kids have really bought into the necessity of training during the off-season. Every morning during the summer they put in mile after mile to make themselves and their team better. A big part of our success hinges upon the culture the team has established. The athletes are
constantly involved in off the field activities that forge lifelong relationships that benefit themselves and the community.”
Coach Strickert also credits a team approach for the strength of his program, “Every athlete contributes to the success of our team.” When asked about runners who might make the largest impact this season, Coach Strickert starts with junior captain and 2022 state qualifier Ashtyn Koeppen. Coach Strickert said that Koeppen is “rock solid” and that she had to navigate a stacked regional field a year ago to qualify. He also says of her leadership, “Her tenacity is contagious.” That infectious attitude has been passed down to “some exciting young runners” for the Tigers. Strickert also mentions young Tiger runners Jena Koeppen, Abi Colleran, Brook Nettleton, and Kara Waggoner as runners who should contribute to the team’s success. “Overall we have tremendous depth.”
