By Allison Hernandez, Staff Writer
Senior Asher Brown has made a mark on Newman’s cross country program, recently breaking the 8K record and further establishing himself as a leader and record-setting runner.
Brown’s running journey began early: He participated in one-mile and two-mile races around the age of four or five.
“Before I joined the cross country club, I would do a lot of my runs with my dad,” Brown said. “I would say my dad influenced me the most to run competitively.”
Brown said his father’s encouragement and those early races ignited a spark that led him to join a youth cross country club in Wichita during sixth grade, marking the start of a lifelong passion for competitive running.
Brown’s connection with Newman University’s cross country program began in his senior year of high school when Coach Josh Schepis reached out to him. Although Newman wasn’t initially on his radar, he said, the appeal of the university’s strong nursing program and the welcoming team culture convinced him to commit.
“I really liked the coach, and knowing a few of the runners already made it feel like the right place for me,” he said.
Brown said he has since embraced the opportunity and that he works tirelessly to set a high standard for himself and his teammates.
Brown broke Newman’s 8K record at the MIAA Cross Country Championships, hosted on Oct. 26 by Missouri Western at Griffon Cross Country Course in St. Joseph Missouri.
Breaking that record is a milestone that holds immense significance for Brown, he said, especially as it’s the primary distance for collegiate races. Reflecting on the race where he set the record, Brown recalls the intensity and determination it required.
“I knew it was going to be fast despite the course being a little difficult because of the hills," he said. "I don’t think I realized until halfway through that I actually had a shot at getting the record, and that’s when it usually starts to get pretty hard.”
The course’s steep hills tested his endurance, but Brown said he pushed through by focusing on the possibility of a personal record.
“I just used that as motivation to keep pushing,” he said.
Cross country head coach Amber McVicar said that Brown's performance at conference was actually a surprise in the best of ways.
“Seeing the course the previous day, I did not think we would be getting many personal bests or records due to the footing and the rolling hills of the course,” McVicar said. “He stepped up and ran the race of his life. Looking ahead, Brown has set his sights on breaking his own 10k record, which he set as a freshman. The season’s final race was held on the same course Nov. 9 in Joplin, Missouri on the home course of Missouri Southern State University.
“It would be super cool to break that one again, especially after just breaking the 8k record,” he said.
Beyond Newman, Brown envisions a future filled with running and new athletic challenges. He plans to continue competing in local road races, ranging from 5Ks to half-marathon distances, and he eventually hopes to resume running triathlons, a sport he enjoyed as part of Newman’s triathlon team.
“I really enjoyed training and competing for triathlon at Newman,” he said. “Come spring or next summer, I’d like to start training for it again.”
Brown said he hopes his legacy at Newman will include more than just broken records.
“I hope people will remember me as a leader who wanted the best for all of my teammates and someone who worked hard but also brought teammates up and together,” he said. “Being able to lift others up while pursuing my own goals is something that’s always been important to me.”
PHOTO: Courtesy, Newman Athletics
