Trey Bruton, Southwestern Community College head cross country coach, looked inside the college to snag a top notch assistant coach for his program. Scott Vicker, lifetime Creston resident and high school and college cross country and track standout, has been named assistant coach for the men’s and women’s cross country programs at Southwestern.

Vicker, who is the marketing and institutional advancement specialist in the student services division of the college, has a wealth of high school and collegiate athletic accolades. He was Creston High School’s first two-time Hawkeye 10 Conference cross country champion; a three-time individual state cross country qualifier; a two-time top-15 cross country finisher at state, including earning all-state by finishing 10th as a senior; a four-time state meet medalist in track, including runner-up in the 1,600; Drake Relays medalist in the 3,200; and Creston High School record holder in the 3,200 and 1,600.

During college, Vicker earned a Division I scholarship to Saint Louis University (SLU), competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference. He was a four-year scoring member of SLU’s cross country team and held school records in the indoor distance medley relay, outdoor 4x800 relay, and 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Bruton is very happy with his hire.

“Scott brings a wealth of experience in cross country and track, and that will strengthen our program in the areas of training and recruiting,” stated Bruton. “Being a local and working in sports for the newspaper and marketing here at SWCC, he’s built relationships with coaches and knows Southwest Iowa better than most.”

Prior to working at Southwestern, Vicker was the news editor at the Creston News Advertister.

Vicker will begin his duties with the cross country program immediately. Spartan cross country kicks off their 2019 season with the women’s Region XI Time Trial at Cedar Creek Golf Course in Ottumwa on Friday, Aug. 23.