Southwestern Community College Head Cross Country Coach Trey Bruton recently announced the signing of three student-athletes to the Spartans' 2018-19 cross country program.
The three signees include AHSTW High School standout, Dalton Fischer, from Avoca, a Class 1A state qualifier in cross country last fall; Bonnabel High School's Cedrick Watson, from Kenner, LA, who boasts a personal best of 16:09 for three miles, 10:09 in the 3200, and 4:37 for the 1600; and rounding out the trio of signees is Nodaway Valley High School's Kaitlyn Blazek, of Greenfield.
Fischer (pictured above) and Blazek add to the pool of Iowa 1A-level athletes on SWCC's roster for fall.
When asked why he recruits a large number of 1A student-athletes, Bruton said, "The kids competing at that level are used to small schools and working hard, SWCC really fits what those young adults are looking for in a place to continue their education and athletic careers."
Bruton said he considers the program and the college very lucky to have them compete for the Spartan team.
Fischer finished 60th at this year's 1A Cross Country Championships in Fort Dodge.
"Dalton works hard and is a driven individual," mentioned Bruton. "He has overcome a lot already in his career. I think he has a great deal of potential left in him and will surprise people with what he will do this year."
Watson (pictured above) will travel all the way from the state of Louisiana to be a member of the Spartan men's squad. Watson intends to be one of the best to ever compete in the Spartan uniform and wants to help lead the program to new heights.
"Cedrick has some impressive personal bests and I was really excited when he got in contact with me," stated Bruton. "It doesn't happen every day that someone running those kinds of times and with the work ethic that he has falls into your lap."
Blazek is looking to be a multi-sport athlete at Southwestern as she hopes to play softball for the Spartans in the spring. She hopes to use the fall to stay in shape and make new connections in her time at the college.
Bruton remarked, "I'm so excited to see what Kaitlyn will do for us this fall. She has lots of potential to develop, and even though she doesn't have a lot of running experience she brings some stability and depth to a program which only a year ago had just two ladies on the roster."
Bruton said with the addition of these three talented student-athletes, the Southwestern cross country program continues to get better for the fall.
"It's pretty amazing how this recruiting class is shaping up," said Bruton. "It really is setting us up to have one of the best seasons in program history."