Hartington freshman is tearing up the cross country course
Noecker has won every varsity meet he has entered
HARTINGTON — The new kid on the block has had more hits for Hartington-Newcastle cross country than Mark Wahlberg had in the Top 40.
Seriously.
The Cedar Catholic freshman Carson Noecker has broken onto the scene along various cross country locations, be it a course at the Wisner-Pilger Invitational early last month, to race in Norfolk, Wayne, Crofton or the September-wrapping competition at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
They all have one thing in common: Noecker won them all.
“I haven’t lost yet, but it’s getting close it feels like,” Noecker said. “The other runners are getting pretty close. In junior high I was pretty good, and I won most my races.”
Some of his success is not surprising, but the amount and level of excellence he has enjoyed so far this campaign may be a little over the top for the freshman.
“I knew I would be pretty good, but I didn’t think I’d be doing this,” Noecker admits. “I trained all summer and some of it is God-given talent. Over the summer, I put in more miles and exercised more. I also ate healthier.”
He ran about three miles a day, took to bicycling and made a go of running hills in the offseason to better prepare for this first prep race campaign.
“I really ran hard,” Noecker said. “I made myself push through especially when I got tired. After the first race I saw my time and I felt like it could continue and get better as the season went on.”
It doesn’t hurt that the young man has grown up in an environment that embraces long-distance running.
“Carson has been training as a distance runner for quite a few years,” Cedar Catholic Activities Director Chad Cattau said. “His entire family really trains a lot together and they have run many races together in the offseason so that has really helped him get to where he is.”
Cattau said Noecker has been able to succeed thanks to exceptional and consistent speeds in long-distance running. He also goes about his business the right way.
“He really trains hard to be able to perform at a peak level each time he goes out and runs,” Cattau said. “Carson also has great sportsmanship before during and after a race. He is always willing to congratulate his fellow competitors and teammates. I am really excited to continue to watch his progress throughout the rest of this season and his career going forward.”
One of those next steps include the possibility of winning a state title on the Kearney course later this month.
“There are some good runners out there and they are pushing me hard,” he said. “I would like to win, but I have three more years, so I have plenty of time. I just want to enjoy the moment. I would like our team to win District because we have a really good team.
“It would be good to have us all win District so we can feel good and that all the hard work paid off. When you talk about state, it’s a whole other race. It’s amazing the difference than the regular meets.”