By Cristy Brusoe
UWRF Sports Information

UW-River Falls senior Chad Ernst started running when he was 12 years old. The goal: to have the fastest mile in his gym class. Ernst is now a captain on the men’s UWRF cross country team, and has accumulated many awards and honors.

“I didn’t start running cross country until 9th grade because I played football all the way until then. I stopped playing football because everyone got bigger and I just stayed the same size,” Ernst said.

Head Coach of cross country Keven Syverson has seen Ernst’s improvement. “He really took his freshman year to learn and train properly. Now, coming into his senior year has been our No. 1 or 2 runner for the last two-three years.”

Ernst has earned three letters at UWRF. He has earned several honors include; Rookie of the year in 2006, Most Dedicated in 2008, WIAC Scholastic Honor Rolls in 2006, 2007, 2008 and to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic teams in 2007 and 2008. Ernst has also completed in the 2007 and 2008 NCAA Midwest Regional meets. He holds the school record of 24:56 in the 8,000-meter course, which he set last year at the Oshkosh Invitational.

“The best thing about cross country is when you run down ‘the chute’ or begin your kick at the end of a race, all that matters is passing the guy in front of you. You hear the screams of the spectators and it comes down to who has the most guts. It’s the best and worst feeling in running,” Ernst explained.

After graduation, Ernst will commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He hopes to join the USMC marathon team and run as a Marine.

For now, Ernst has his sights set on captaining this year’s team, along with Scott Degner. “This year’s team has an insane amount of young talent. Abdi Hassan, (freshman from Burnsville Minn.), along with a number of other freshmen and sophomores are guaranteed to lead the team in a positive direction and to keep improving the program,” Ernst said.

Syverson foresees great things with this year’s team as well. “We have an opportunity as a team to do some things we have not done at UWRF in many years. That helps with recruiting, with our program and with the confidence of our runners,” Syverson said.

Ernst views Syverson, as both a mentor and a friend. “Coach is a committed man who I personally believe is working to expand the program in many ways. …I don't think UWRF cross country would have such a positive outlook if it weren't for him,” Ernst said.

Along with his countless awards, Syverson still has high expectations and goals for Ernst in his final season.
“He’s only eight seconds off of our outdoor 10,000-meter record and only two seconds off from our indoor 5,000-meter record in track & field. We’re still looking for that breakthrough for him as far as at the conference or the national meet,” Syverson said.

Regardless of if he breaks those records or not, Syverson still believes Ernst has left his mark on UWRF and the cross country team. “I know he’ll be missed next year. But, I think what he has provided to his teammates will live on for the next several years,” Syverson said.