For the second straight year, Cross Country runner, Noah Walters, qualified for Nationals. Representing Schoolcraft Walters, traveled to Richmond, Virginia on Nov. 9 to compete in the NJCAA Division II Cross Country Champioship.. Walters finished in 72 out of 317 competitors with an overall time of 27:27. He qualified for Nationals after placing 13th in the NJCAA Region XII Championships on Oct. 25 with a time of 26:42.9.

Accomplishments like this didn’t happen overnight. Over the past several months Walters has been preparing mentally and physically with a strict diet and training regiment. Cross-country is a long-distance running sport, and training for it isn’t simply about running several miles every day. Each day’s workout is different.In Swedish terms, “fartlek” means “speed play”—running at different speeds over many miles.

When Walters began training with his coach, Tobin Jones, he started at 45-50 miles per week. Jones didn’t want to risk injuring Walters, as high school cross-country is not as rigorous as the higher levels of the sport. Jones eventually worked him up to 70 miles per week, 6 days a week, around 12 miles per day. 

“There is nothing he [Walters] doesn’t do. Once he heads in a direction he has the self motivation to stay focused,” said Jones. 

Jones continued, noting that Walters is a very disciplined athlete and has become a part of Jones’s family.

During interviews with both Jones and Walters, they were quick to compliment each other, sharing how much they appreciate one another. 

“Tobin [Jones] is such a great coach,” said Walters. He added about how they have become like family. “Runners understand each other; it’s a community,” said Walters.

During high school Walters was a multisport athlete competing in tennis, swimming, cross country, baseball and even earned his black belt in karate. 

When covid hit, tennis was dropped and Walters was invited by a friend to try cross country. He fell in love with running and began searching for a college with a cross country team. 

Walters caught the runner’s sickness and Jones puts it. “You’re a sick man Noah[Walters,] I like you” said Jones. He added that the transition from high school to college-level running was tough for Walters, but Walters holds himself accountable, even without a team. Walters is a tremendous ambassador for Schoolcraft’s cross country team and gets along with everyone he encounters. His junior collegiate career is over and he is set to graduate this spring however he is far from slowing down . His passion for running continues to grow and he is looking forward to new challenges. Jones is training Walters to run for a marathon, —approximately 26.2 miles. To prepare for the marathon Jones will have Walters run in several half marathons and increase his training miles per week. 

He continues to serve as a spokesperson for the sport, demonstrating that crossing the finish line marks the start of a ne