At the beginning of his sophomore track season at University of Illinois-Springfield, St. Joseph-Ogden graduate Isiah McCune had a goal of running below 16 minutes in the 5,000-meter run.
He reached that goal with two weeks to spare. Running in the fifth section of the 5,000-meter run at the Grand Valley State University hosted Big Meet, McCune finished the race in 15 minutes, 58.07 seconds. It was his personal best in the race by 14 seconds.
“I knew that that was going to be the day,” said McCune. “I had tapered in able to do it and during my warm up felt really good. I would like to lower that even more in the next two meets in Indianapolis, Indiana. It would be a great way to finish the indoor season. I am also hoping to run around 31:00 this year in the 10,000-meter run. I am very pleased that we had the chance to compete during cross country during the fall months. It allowed us to show the work we have put in. It was a pleasure to be able to compete and get the opportunity because some people don’t have that ability with the virus and the regulations. It has made every athlete on a team, regardless of school, appreciate the time they have to compete.”
The shutdown of the spring seasons last year is not the only thing that McCune has in common with the other athletes. The competing athletes are now given an extra year of eligibility because of the loss of last year and this year does not count against them. Regardless of what he accomplishes this year, as far as the national governing body is concerned, which is this case is the NCAA Division II, McCune has three more years of eligibility. Academically, if he takes advantage of that extra year, he can pursue another major, a minor or even a graduate degree. He could even take less classes for less academic intensity to stretch his degree into the five-year plan.
“I have not made a decision at this time,” said the sophomore harrier of his future plans. “I have not thought about it. I think that will depend on where I am academically, what the job market is at that time and if I am satisfied with my accomplishments athletically.”
Reaching his goal in the 5,000-meter run was a long drawn out process that included extensive training. Some of which McCune had to do on his own, without the benefit of his teammates or organized practice, at home, due to this virus.
“I was home quite a bit during the fall months,” said McCune. “I had to take classes online, like most students. I had the benefit of having a great coach (Tyler Pence) that sent us all a very specific training schedule to get me ready for the upcoming season. I have been following that very closely, making sure to also eat properly and get the proper amount of rest. I would also do some other small things to make sure that I stayed healthy throughout the training. One thing I do is core everyday that our strength conditioning coach sends us. I also do some small stretching. I have been back on campus and in the dorms since January 15. We have been taking some of the classes remotely and some in person.”
McCune started the season with an effort of 16:12.21 at the Herschel Neil Invite, which was held at the Hughes Fieldhouse on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University. That was his best effort in the 5,000-meter run.
“Isiah went out and and ran a great, smart paced race for him,” said Pence, who won two NCAA Division II National Championships and qualified for the Olympic Trials. “This was a glass ceiling that he needed to break. Outdoor, he should be able to run 15:30. He is a great young man with a great work ethic. That work ethic is not only about track and field, but in the classroom as well. I look forward to working with him during his career.”
McCune, who is the son of Jim and Tonya McCune of St. Joseph, is pursuing a degree in Business Finance.
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