Recently Lakeland College constructed a 5K cross country course for its cross country and track and field team. Vice President for Athletics and Wellness Nate Dehne expressed great satisfaction in the newly built course.

Currently, the course is a 5K course, but Dehne said that he would like it to become an 8K course in the future.

The creation of the course was funded by the athletic department, and Dehne stated how funding the course was not very expensive and joked that building the course was far more difficult than getting the funds.

Dehne expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped build the course and hopes to expand the new cross country program, which is only two years old.

The first official use of the trail came on Sept. 11, and the meet was between Sheboygan South and Sheboygan North high schools.

On Oct. 16, the Lakeland College course was used for the very first time to host a Division I high school cross country meet.

More high schools have shown interest in having meets at Lakeland College, and Dehne has spoken of the positive feedback he and the school have received from parents and coaches of the high schools that have used the course.

“Cross Country is both a very physical sport and a mental sport,” Dehne said.

With the field gaining good word, Dehne is eager to have athletes come to Lakeland College to be a part of the cross country and track team and also encourages anyone who loves running to consider going out for the team.