INDIANAPOLIS—Huntingdon College head cross country coach
Nate Rucker has been selected as Head Coach of the United States Junior
National Racewalk Team, which will compete in a dual meet against the
Canadian Junior National Team in Ottawa, Canada in August of this year.
As head coach, Rucker must select a five-member team of both boy’s
and girl’s for the dual meet, which will be chosen at the U.S. Junior
National meet at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 23-27.
Eligible participants for the team will be between the ages of 14-19.
“I am very excited and honored to be selected to this position,”
Rucker said. “I feel it is great opportunity to represent the United
States and Huntingdon College. I cannot thank Vince Peters (USATF
National Racewalk Chair) and his committee enough for this wonderful
opportunity.”
In last year’s competition held in New York, Canada earned a 24-20
victory over the United States. Points are awarded to the top three
finishers from each team, with the winner earning seven points, second
place five points, third place four, etc. On the boy’s side, Canada won
13-9, while the two squads tied 11-11 in the girl’s portion. The boy’s
event was held on a 10K course, while the girl’s competed on a 5K track.
Joining Rucker on the staff will be Culver Stockton College head
cross country and track and field coach Tish Hanna, who will serve as a
team manager.
Race walking is an event contested in all levels of the sport of
track and field, from youth athletics up to and including the Olympic
Games. A technically demanding event, race walking is continuing to
grow in popularity across all age groups for its fitness and
competitive aspects.
Race walking differs from running in that it requires the competitor
to maintain contact with the ground and straighten their front knee
when the foot makes contact with the ground, keeping it straightened
until the knee passes under the body. Judges evaluate the technique of
race walkers and report fouls which may lead to disqualification. All
judging is done by the eye of the judge and no outside technology is
used in making judging decisions.
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Tim Lutz
Sports Information Director
Phone: (334) 833-4579
tlutz@huntingdon.edu
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