Blogs : NCAA Division III Blog

Interviews: Chris Dunker of Nebraska Wesleyan

(Photo courtesy of the Columbus Running Company)

Dunker is a junior from Nebraska Wesleyan University.  On October 28 he was runner-up at the Great Plains Athletic Conference Championship.  He has been a two-time all-Region runner for the Prairie Wolves, placing sixth in the 2004 Central Region meet and fifth in 2005.  Chris hopes to surpass his previous showings in the Regional and National meets these next two weeks.

By: Keith Solverson (11/08/2006)

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself (where you’re from, what high school you went to, how you got started running)?

I grew up in the heart of  Nebraska Cornhusker country, almost 40 miles south of Lincoln in a town of about 12,500 called Beatrice (be-AT-trice) which means that if you didn’t play football you were an outcast.  I was a day away from going out for football until my best friend Luke, who had a brother that was on the cross-country team, convinced me to go out because we would be able to mess around and have a good time together.  Well, I went out and things got out of hand.  I found out I had some talent for this running thing and it has been a part of my life ever since.  And this was good because I never reached 100 lbs until I was a freshman in high school.

What were your PR's in high school (cross country and track)?

I ran 15:33 on a 5k course in high school one time, it had the kilometers marked off and everything.  We were pretty sure it was short, but I ran 15:29 on a different course a few weeks later, so I claim my PR to be somewhere between the two.  In track I was a little less ambitious, with a PR in the 3200 of 9:48 when I was a junior and a PR in the 1600 of 4:29 my senior year.  I am most proud, however, of my 1:58 split on the 4x800 my junior year of high school.  Since then I have lost all speed and don‘t know where I can find some more.

What are your current PR's (cross country and track)?

For cross-country I have run 25:17 at LaCrosse, both when we went in front of the green towards the end and behind it.  On the indoor track, my PR in the 5k is 15:06 and in outdoor I have run 15:19 for the 5k and 32:23 for the 10k.  I really am disappointed at the lack of relays for long distance runners, as I feel I could drop a sweet split on whatever relay I could be a part of.

What was your training like this past summer?

It was consistent more than anything.  And hot and humid.  I started off in at about 45 miles a week and gradually worked my way up to 60+ miles by the time the season began in August.  I was pretty happy with it.

How has your training progressed over the years from high school to now (cross country and track)?

In high school we never ran many miles.  We usually would just run anywhere from 3-5 miles as hard as we could everyday, which worked for what we were trying to do.  Now, I have increased my mileage and added a structure to my training which has propelled me to places I never thought I would be able to reach.  I have to thank my coach, Ted Bulling for my improvement.  I have been in the high 60’s and low 70’s consistently this season with a high of 80 miles.

What has your training consisted of over the past couple of weeks?

We have maintained our mileage and kept up with the same workouts that we had done earlier in the season.  We tend to do a tempo run and some longer intervals for most of our workouts, either on the track or on a grassy loop near campus, or on the trails in and around Lincoln.  Nothing fancy, we just get the job done.

What is your favorite workout(s) during the cross country season and what does it include?

My favorite workout has been a long interval workout on a grass loop on the University of Nebraska‘s East Campus.  We recently did 2x1200, 2x900, and 2x600 with about 300 meter jog recovery between reps and 600 jog between sets.  It was a great confidence booster for me and some of the other guys on my team.  I feel like we are really starting to pull things together at the right time, which again is something we owe to our coach.

Last weekend you were runner-up at your conference meet (GPAC). What are your goals heading into Regionals and Nationals (individual and team)?

First, I want everyone to know that even though we compete in a NAIA conference, it is still very competitive and winning it individually or as a team is no minor achievement.  We had some guys run really well on a very challenging course.  That said…I would be lying if I said we didn’t have any goals going into the regional or national meet.  I think our goals are the same as everyone else who is competing there, so I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.  I may be a little superstitious on this subject, so I’m not going to say anything.

What do you like the most about Nebraska Wesleyan Cross Country?

2006 Nebraska Wesleyan Cross Country Team

(Photo courtesy of the Nebraska Wesleyan athletics website)

The guys on the team.  I really could not ask for a greater group of guys to go out and have fun with everyday.  The highlight of my day is 4 p.m., no matter what kind of day I have had.  There is just nothing greater than going out with your best friends and getting to do the one thing you truly love to do.  My favorite are Sunday morning long runs, because everyone usually has a great story to tell from the weekend, or we just talk Husker football like everyone else in Nebraska.

We also have a great set of coaches, Dr. Ted Bulling and Ann Ringlein who are there for us whenever we need them.  We are very lucky to be able to interact with them on a daily basis.

What other colleges or universities recruited you out of high school? Did you consider any of these colleges or universities as options?

Old Main

(Photo courtesy of Nebraska State Historical Society website)

My college choice really came down to Nebraska Wesleyan and Doane College in Crete, Nebraska.  Both of my parents attended Doane and my dad actually ran there in college, so it was a tough decision.  Luckily, I have great parents who support me in whatever I do and they “allowed” me to come to their rival school.  But I wouldn’t change anything for the world.  My time here has been special, the friends I’ve made and the things we’ve done, whether it’s in running or something completely random or stupid have been memorable.  I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks and next year!

Any parting words for readers?

Division III athletics really are the pinnacle of collegiate sports.  It is great to see so many athletes out and competing simply because they want to be there.  I feel that is the greatest part about Nebraska Wesleyan, because everyday you show up and everyone has a great attitude because at 4 pm there is nowhere they would rather be.  I am very grateful to have had this opportunity.

GO P-WOLVES!

Thanks to Chris for a great interview.