A Running Success

ARUNNING SUCCESS

NINETEEN NJCAA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SINCE 2000 DEFINE THE DOMINANCE OF TRI-C’S INDOOR TRACK PROGRAM

In with the new and out with the old: That’s the trophy case plan of action nearly every spring for Don Cox, women’s track head coach at Cuyahoga Community College.

The Triceratops left the NJCAA Region XII Indoor Track Championships in February with yet another title. It marked the fifth straight year Tri-C toted home the large wooden plaque given to the victors — and the 19th time since 2000.

The Triceratops ran, jumped and threw their way to first-place finishes in 12 events at this year’s regional meet. The overall performance was slightly more dominant than in 2019, when Tri-C won 11 events at the indoor championship.

The year-by-year feats come from a roster stocked almost entirely with local track talent. Cox recruits from Lorain to Ashtabula, making a point to watch every high school compete at least once every track and cross country season. He said his goal is to find “the diamonds” left behind by four-year colleges. The track program also puts an emphasis on bringing in strong students. Tri-C routinely ranks among the top teams in the nation for grade point average.

“It’s not just a matter of getting the best runners,” Cox said. “I want the best kids. If you fill your team with that type of student, special things happen.”

The team’s indoor success typically carries over to the outdoor season, where Tri-C has won all but one regional title since 2000. The Triceratops are also reigning regional champions in cross country.

Which brings us back to the problem Cox routinely faces. “I’d love to have every plaque on display,” he said, “but there’s only so much room.”

STORY BY John Horton PHOTOS BY Cody York