While the air cools and the competition heats up, men’s cross country captain Dan Anderson has been the steady pulse for the UW-Whitewater men’s cross country team. His growth as a leader and competitor has helped fuel the Warhawks through the season thus far, as they set their hopes on another trip to the national meet.
Anderson has been a key contributor for the Warhawks cross country and track team at Whitewater, and with the likes of several school legends graduated, Anderson has taken off the training wheels and is ready to prove himself to competition.
Head coach Jeff Miller has seen many athletes come in and out of the program, and he had all good things to say about Anderson.
Miller emphasized that Anderson is “a pretty competitive person, and driven to be successful… He leads by example and lets his running talk.”
Over time Miller has also instilled trust and confidence in Anderson. With the change in leadership from previous years, Anderson has slid comfortably into his new role.
“He has the ability to run with some of the top runners in division three,” Miller said.
As a nine-time WIAC track and field medalist, Anderson is now chasing his first podium finish in cross country. Last season, he placed 22nd at the national meet, helping the Warhawks secure a fourth-place team trophy. Whitewater was one of four WIAC programs to finish in the top 20 nationally, which highlights the depth and toughness of the conference.
With his experience and leadership shaping another strong season for the Warhawks, Anderson shared his thoughts on himself, the team, and what lies ahead.
Q: How do you feel your season is going so far?
A: So far, I think the season is progressing well. We underperformed at the Blugold Invite; however, I think we are looking very strong and are ready to put together a great meet at Augustana this weekend and the rest of the meets moving forward.
Q: What is something you’ve been focusing on improving right now?
A: Something I have been focusing on improving this season is my mindset during races. Most runners would tell you, especially in longer races, it can be hard to always be alert and present, not “fall asleep”. This is something I have been mindful of during our harder workouts, and during the first meet at Blugold I felt like I did a much better job at.
Q: You’ve traveled many places to race as a Warhawk and faced some high-level competition, how has that exposure affected you?
A: I think it has given me a great perspective and shifted my mindset. Being at high-level meets, especially when you are new to them, you learn a lot. I’ve picked up a lot on how other athletes prepare and conduct themselves. Additionally, it has given me a lot of confidence knowing that these are the meets I belong at.
Q: What lessons have you learned in the past that you are trying to carry forward for your lowerclassmen?
A: I think my entire class lives in the same mindset of hard work can take you very far. I always think of my two classmates, Tucker and Alex, who have really crafted themselves into great runners by simply putting their nose to the ground and working hard for long periods of time. People like them, who are willing to work very hard, create a great team. Not everyone is born with insane natural talent, but you can become great anyways.
Q: When you look back at this season when it is over, what would be considered a success for you and this team?
A: I think success in our minds at the end of this season would be finishing it at the national meet. Last year, we received our first-ever trophy at the national meet. We know that with the loss of Christian and Gunner that we have to shift our goals from that. We do believe, however, that we can still be very competitive, and regardless of how we do at the national meet, I think finishing it there with my class going all 4 years we’ve been here would be great. For me personally, I would like to become a two-time All-American and improve on my 22nd-place finish from last year.
Q: With a couple of school legends now gone, some high expectations could arise. What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
A: I hope to follow in the footsteps of them, any meet I went to with them all the competitors had a lot of respect for the two of them. I hope to leave behind a legacy of hard work and determination while also making sure to have fun along the way.
Anderson’s impact goes beyond times and medals. His leadership has helped build a team rooted in trust and hard work. As the Warhawks gear up for championship season, Anderson’s drive and performance will play a big role in how far the team goes.