What do you think of when you think about summer? Do you think of the sun? The sand? That’s not what the cross country runners of University of New Haven are thinking about. Summer means the start of the cross country training season.
An intense and exhausting program, it requires these runners to gather as much motivation as they can get. This is where newly named cross country head coach, Nicholas Noheimer, comes in.
Noheimer was handpicked by the coaching staff of the UNH Cross Country and Track and Field teams over the summer. “I’d like to welcome Nicholas to the New Haven community. His enthusiasm and energy for the Chargers make him a perfect fit for the University and the cross country programs,” Deborah Chin, Director of Athletics and Recreation, said.
Prior to his UNH career, Noheimer led the Lasers last season as the head coach at Lasell College in Newton, Mass. Before Lasell, Noheimer took on the role of assistant coach at the American International College, a Northeast-10 Conference rival.
Not only does Noheimer have experience as a coach, but he is also as a well-seasoned athlete. During his collegiate running career, Noheimer participated in four years of cross country, as well as indoor and outdoor track at Eastern Connecticut State University. Setting records in the distance medley relay and the indoor mile, running a 4:37.2 in the latter, Noheimer is no stranger to success.
Success was not limited to track for Noheimer. In 2010, Noheimer graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in physical education with a minor in health and coaching from Eastern Connecticut State University. He did not stop there. In 2013, Noheimer also obtained his Master of Education in Physical Education with a concentration in Advanced Level Coaching from Springfield College.
UNH women’s cross country captain, Erin Fox, states her opinion about Noheimer’s biggest contributions to the team. “I think his biggest strength would have to be his outgoing nature. A lot of coaches when they are new just kind of sit back and watch, but he went out with us head on, learned our names very quickly, what we do, and got our schedules down pretty well. Him being able to open up to us very quickly and being able to coach us and not being afraid to coach us is definitely one of his strengths.”
Coach Noheimer shared his thoughts on the team as a whole. “I think it’s a good connective group, and I think it’s a special bond that those who do cross country will only know. It’s a special thing, but I’m sure they wish they got a little more notoriety for their efforts,” he said.
“We are looking to make the distance team stronger, especially on my end, that’s what I was brought in to do. We are looking to make the women’s team and the men’s team on the distance side specifically a little bit stronger each year and keep bringing kids in who can contribute to the conference team and on the national level as well.”
UNH men’s cross country captain, Devin Rose, comments on the new coach. “He is very qualified for the position,” said Rose. “His knowledge and base of education is very high, and is very specific to what we are doing, especially in the injury prevention department.”
Rose is in his fourth year of cross country at UNH and has a positive view of having a new coach. “He always has a smile on his face as well. He definitely seems like a very upbeat guy who will be really helpful for the motivation of the team.”
