INDIANAPOLIS ---- Huntingdon College head cross country coach Nate Rucker has been selected as Head Coach of the United States Junior National Racewalk Team, which will compete in a dual meet against the Canadian Junior National Team in Ottawa, Canada in August of this year.
As head coach, Rucker must select a five-member team of both boy’s and girl’s for the dual meet, which will be chosen at the U.S. Junior National meet at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 23-27. Eligible participants for the team will be between the ages of 14-19.
“I am very excited and honored to be selected to this position,” Rucker said. “I feel it is great opportunity to represent the United States and Huntingdon College. I cannot thank Vince Peters (USATF National Racewalk Chair) and his committee enough for this wonderful opportunity.”
In last year’s competition held in New York, Canada earned a 24-20 victory over the United States. Points are awarded to the top three finishers from each team, with the winner earning seven points, second place five points, third place four, etc. On the boy’s side, Canada won 13-9, while the two squads tied 11-11 in the girl’s portion. The boy’s event was held on a 10K course, while the girl’s competed on a 5K track.
Joining Rucker on the staff will be Culver Stockton College head cross country and track and field coach Tish Hanna, who will serve as a team manager.
Race walking is an event contested in all levels of the sport of track and field, from youth athletics up to and including the Olympic Games. A technically demanding event, race walking is continuing to grow in popularity across all age groups for its fitness and competitive aspects.
Race walking differs from running in that it requires the competitor to maintain contact with the ground and straighten their front knee when the foot makes contact with the ground, keeping it straightened until the knee passes under the body. Judges evaluate the technique of race walkers and report fouls which may lead to disqualification. All judging is done by the eye of the judge and no outside technology is used in making judging decisions.