(Atlantic) Atlantic track and cross country standout Craig Alan Becker will continue his running career at the Division I level. Becker announced his commitment to UNI on Friday.
He tells KSOM/KS95.7 Sports, “I think the biggest reason why was just the setting of the school. I really liked the size of it, the competitive atmosphere they have there, but also at the same time how it’s also very personable and it’s just a very big family bond.”
UNI won out over Indiana Wesleyan, Dordt, and Central. “I know in the classroom and on the team I’m not just going to be a number. I’m going to be valued there no matter what time I run and that was really cool to me. I also really liked the coaches there. Coach David Paulsen just got a five year extension and that proves how they are building success and they’ve had success.”
Becker has excelled in the 800 and 1600 at the high school level. His goals are to get under 1:55 in the 800 and under 4:25 in the mile this year. UNI coaches have him penciled in with their mid-distance group. “I’ll probably not run too many miles there. I’ll probably focus in on the 800’s. I think that will be an advantage for me because I’m really not much of a distance runner. I’m more fit anaerobically or sprint wise so I think that training will be perfect for me.” He was 6th at the 2019 state meet in the 800 and 7th in the 1600.
He admits track wasn’t always his first love, “7th and 8th grade year I hated track so much. It’s been really cool how that hate turned into a really deep love for it as I kind of learned the beauty of what it’s like to run and put it all out there.”
