Lenoir Community College plans to give students a run for their money as it begins its first Men's/Women's Cross-Country Team this fall. The LCC Cross-Country Team will complete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)-Division III and be part of the Region X.

A 2007 South Central High School graduate, Brandon Hill of Winterville became LCC's first Cross-Country runner to sign on the team committing to run for the Lancers. Hill was one of two from his high school to run cross-country in the state finals.

Hill said he enjoyed training in cross-country. "I was with the ROTC program doing some PT (physical training) and saw some members of the cross-country team warming up. I thought it would be fun so I joined the team."
His fastest time for the mile in high school was 4.45 minutes and 10.13 minutes for the two-mile run. "I'd love to run a marathon some day. I keep training to improve my times."

Hill said he was undecided to what he wanted to study at LCC, but he hopes to transfer to East Carolina University and of course, he wants to run cross-country no matter where he goes. "I am looking forward to being apart of LCC and its first cross-country team."

No matter what Hill decides to study, he knows he has a good support system. "I have great support," Hill said. "I love my coach. Coach (Scott) Johnson is one of the greatest individuals you'd ever meet. He's a great coach, Christ loving with a wonderful family. He said I was very coachable. I'm glad because I just wanted to run."
Hill said his parents, Kandis and Thomas Hill, were also very supportive. "They have been a great influence on my life and I appreciate all they have done for me."

“We are excited to have a runner of Brandon's ability to lead off our team” said LCC Cross-Country Head Coach Rob Van Meir. “ He is the type of runner we hope to attract to our team who can build off the success he had at the high school level.”

Van Meir is a three-time Ironman Triathlete and runner. The assistant Head Coach is Valerie Cavenaugh who has coached cross-country and track at the high school and middle school level for five years. She also trains for road races and has been competing in 5K, 8K, and 10K races since 1992.

The goal is to field a team of runners from all over Eastern North Carolina that can complete at a high level but, also to give students the opportunity to continue their athletic career in college with the hope of transferring to a four year school where they can continue their athletic career.

If you are interested in running for the Lancers please contact Van Meir at rvanmeir@lenoircc.edu, Cavenaugh at vcavenaugh@lenoircc.edu, or Lind Hartsell, LCC Athletic Director at lhartsell@lenoircc.edu.




Pictured, left to right, front row, are South Central High School Cross-Country
Coach Scott Johnson, LCC Cross-Country Coach Rob Van Meir, and Brandon Hill;
back row, Hill's parents, Kandis and Thomas Hill.