Upcoming Event: Men's Cross Country versus The Summit League Championship on October 31, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
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12:00 p.m.
Men's Cross Country
vs The Summit League Championship
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South Dakota State University Athletics
9/23/2018 7:52:00 PM | Cross Country, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
Cayo had a big step last year and looks for another one this year
Sunday Spotlight: a weekly feature to share some of the stories of the Jackrabbits competing in cross country and track and field.
The South Dakota State cross country teams return to action this upcoming Saturday, going to Minnesota's 33rd annual Roy Griak Invitational in Falcon Heights, Minn.
One of the Jackrabbits, junior Chase Cayo, holds the Roy Griak close to home.
"The Griak is always special to me, being able to compete close to home and having all my family and friends there to see me," said Cayo. "In high school, I never ran at the meet because coaches said I would run in the meet in college."
Even though he didn't compete at the Griak prior to SDSU, the junior from St. Michael, Minn. has always recorded exceptional marks, including a 12th-place 8k-finish (25:32.0) in 2017.
"I like the competition there and the course is always a challenge for many runners," explained Cayo. "I have always found success at the well-known, big meet despite competition and course, so it's exciting to hopefully get my 2018 year started there."
Cayo is looking forward to his first competition of the season after sitting out the first couple of meets. However, it hasn't stopped Cayo from taking a leadership role for the men's team.
"I'm kind of disappointed that I didn't get to race in Nebraska last weekend (Woody Greeno - Sept. 15) but it was an exciting race to watch," Cayo stated. "It was inspiring and motivating to see all those guys running against that competition on such a hot and humid day."
Sophomores Gabe Peters and Micah Mather finished as the top Jackrabbits in a field of Big 10 and Summit League competition on Sept. 15, with Peters going eighth overall (PR: 25:12.9) and winning Summit League's Athlete of the Week and Mather recording a top-20 finish (17th) and a personal-best mark (25:36.7).
"When I was younger, I would look up to the older guys and follow their lead and last year, I led more by example," Cayo explained. "But this year I am trying to be more of a vocal leader, even when I am not competing, because I want to help in other areas."
Cayo, along with his running mate, senior Kyle Burdick, are the two fastest returning Summit League student-athletes in both the 8k and 10k from 2017. The duo is also one of the more vocal leaders on the team.
"We believe that in order to have a successful team and do all that we want to do, we have to develop team chemistry and really bond together," Cayo discussed. "So we try to setup as many team-bonding activities as we can and we all look to encourage each other in whatever we are doing."
Not only do the two help lead the team, but they also give each other advice when they need it.
"Yeah, I turn to Burdick when I need some advice," Cayo said. "He's always willing to help others out when we need it."
The men's team looks to be one of the top contenders in The Summit League to grab the championship in late October, returning nearly everyone from the 2017 championship run.
"I think we have a good chance for that three-peat in Omaha this year," Cayo expressed. "Mather and Peters are looking really good coming out of the gate while Nelson looks like he'll get back into form. I'm also excited for Burdick and I to get back out there to compete."
"We all are on the same page when it comes to team goals," Cayo explained. "We want have our best races at the end of the year, which will hopefully lead to a championship in the league and a deep push in the Midwest regionals."
Individually, the junior has high expectations for himself and believes that it was one of his best off-season training summers he's had.
"Individually, I want to repeat as league championship MVP and athlete of the year by winning the individual title," Cayo suggested. "Then I am hoping to be a top-five finisher in the region and get my ticket punched to the national meet. It would be a dream-come-true to become an All-American - that would be the ultimate dream goal."
His goals for 2018 are the same high expectations he had for himself in 2017 season. At the end of the 2017 cross country season, Cayo finished 45th overall (30:06.2) at Midwest Regionals and wasn't able to make it to the national meet.
"Leading up to the regional meet last year, I was feeling great and the confidence was soaring," Cayo said. "But I got dinged up before the meet and didn't feel 100 percent, which was frustrating."
Cayo continued his huge sophomore season into the outdoor track season, nearly qualifying for the NCAA West Regionals in the 10k.
"It hurt to fall short of my goal and it was a gut-punch to later find out I was the first one out of the race," explained Cayo. "The Mt. SAC was especially disappointing because of how slow the race started, it felt like we had to run down the mark at the end."
"I felt like I was really capable to get into the regional meet, but it just wasn't the case," Cayo explained.
As Cayo recapped his 2017-18 seasons, he saw the experiences as a positive rather than a negative.
"Looking back at the cross country season, I'm grateful for the opportunity I was given and I didn't hang my head too much," Cayo stated. "And the outdoor season was obviously disappointing but it just added fuel to the fire and I am very motivated this season to put myself into position."
Cayo's storyline last year could see similarities between senior Rachel King's 2017-18 run to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in June after just missing the 2017 NCAA Cross Country Championship last November.
"Her story last year was really motivating and inspirational," explained Cayo. "She worked really hard to overcome a lot and was finally rewarded with an opportunity. It's a sign for everyone to take advantage of your opportunities when they're presented."
Even after all the success Cayo had last year, he won't call it a breakout year (XC: winning the league's individual championship crown, being named championship MVP and athlete of the year, winning his first two athlete of the week honors, TF: moving into the school's top 10 all-time list in numerous events, and winning his first events at the league championships).
"I would rather call it just another big step than a breakout year," Cayo explained. "A big step means that there is still more to come while a breakout is considered kind of a peak. And I want to have another big step this year, keeping the sky as the limit and always wanting more."
With the fire lit under Cayo, he believes he is setup for another "big step" this year.
"I feel better than last year at this time," Cayo said. "I increased my mileage to about 85 miles per week and kept my focus on the little things like core, strength, and stretching."
"One thing I've learned and have been doing is listening to my body," Cayo stated. "During some of the runs this summer, I would focus on the mileage while other times I would try to increase my intensity - depending on how I felt."
Being able to adapt and listen to his body is one of the things he wished he could have done more often when he was younger and the one thing he emphasizes to the freshmen.
"Freshman year, I was getting hurt a lot and suffered because I was pushing myself and trying to get the most out of everything I did - which backfired," Cayo explained. "Now, I don't dig myself holes and I listen to my body and work towards the long-haul."
Cayo can already see his training paying off - comparing his yearly time in a light summer 5k-road race, the Hanover Road Race, where he has trimmed time off his mark from year ago.
"I think this was a good summer of training with increased mileage that has prepared me well for the upcoming season," Cayo stated. "So far I've improved on my times on the road race and another race I ran during the summer, so I have a very positive mindset coming into this season."
We will have to wait and see what the season holds for Cayo and the Jackrabbits as they continue their 2018 campaign in Minnesota at the Roy Griak next Saturday.
UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits will be off a weekend (weekend of Sept. 22) and then return to action at the 33rd annual Roy Griak Invitational in Falcon Heights, Minn. on Saturday, Sept. 29th. The meet at the Les Bolstad Golf Course is one of the largest meets in the country that includes six collegiate races and four high school races. Action begins with the Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon III (Division III) Competition at 9 a.m. NCAA DI action, the races Jackrabbits will compete in, will begin with the men's 8k at 11:10 a.m. and the women's 6k following at 12:15 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the South Dakota State cross country teams, follow the Jackrabbits on Twitter (@GoJacksTFXC) and Instagram (@GoJacksTFXC), and like us on Facebook (/GoJacksTFXC).
PREVIOUS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHTS
Donnay & Peters Set For Sophomore Step (Sept. 9)
Two Jacks Share Different Hometown Experiences (Sept. 16)
The South Dakota State cross country teams return to action this upcoming Saturday, going to Minnesota's 33rd annual Roy Griak Invitational in Falcon Heights, Minn.
One of the Jackrabbits, junior Chase Cayo, holds the Roy Griak close to home.
"The Griak is always special to me, being able to compete close to home and having all my family and friends there to see me," said Cayo. "In high school, I never ran at the meet because coaches said I would run in the meet in college."
Even though he didn't compete at the Griak prior to SDSU, the junior from St. Michael, Minn. has always recorded exceptional marks, including a 12th-place 8k-finish (25:32.0) in 2017.
"I like the competition there and the course is always a challenge for many runners," explained Cayo. "I have always found success at the well-known, big meet despite competition and course, so it's exciting to hopefully get my 2018 year started there."
Cayo is looking forward to his first competition of the season after sitting out the first couple of meets. However, it hasn't stopped Cayo from taking a leadership role for the men's team.
"I'm kind of disappointed that I didn't get to race in Nebraska last weekend (Woody Greeno - Sept. 15) but it was an exciting race to watch," Cayo stated. "It was inspiring and motivating to see all those guys running against that competition on such a hot and humid day."
Sophomores Gabe Peters and Micah Mather finished as the top Jackrabbits in a field of Big 10 and Summit League competition on Sept. 15, with Peters going eighth overall (PR: 25:12.9) and winning Summit League's Athlete of the Week and Mather recording a top-20 finish (17th) and a personal-best mark (25:36.7).
"When I was younger, I would look up to the older guys and follow their lead and last year, I led more by example," Cayo explained. "But this year I am trying to be more of a vocal leader, even when I am not competing, because I want to help in other areas."
Cayo, along with his running mate, senior Kyle Burdick, are the two fastest returning Summit League student-athletes in both the 8k and 10k from 2017. The duo is also one of the more vocal leaders on the team.
"We believe that in order to have a successful team and do all that we want to do, we have to develop team chemistry and really bond together," Cayo discussed. "So we try to setup as many team-bonding activities as we can and we all look to encourage each other in whatever we are doing."
Not only do the two help lead the team, but they also give each other advice when they need it.
"Yeah, I turn to Burdick when I need some advice," Cayo said. "He's always willing to help others out when we need it."
The men's team looks to be one of the top contenders in The Summit League to grab the championship in late October, returning nearly everyone from the 2017 championship run.
"I think we have a good chance for that three-peat in Omaha this year," Cayo expressed. "Mather and Peters are looking really good coming out of the gate while Nelson looks like he'll get back into form. I'm also excited for Burdick and I to get back out there to compete."
"We all are on the same page when it comes to team goals," Cayo explained. "We want have our best races at the end of the year, which will hopefully lead to a championship in the league and a deep push in the Midwest regionals."
Individually, the junior has high expectations for himself and believes that it was one of his best off-season training summers he's had.
"Individually, I want to repeat as league championship MVP and athlete of the year by winning the individual title," Cayo suggested. "Then I am hoping to be a top-five finisher in the region and get my ticket punched to the national meet. It would be a dream-come-true to become an All-American - that would be the ultimate dream goal."
His goals for 2018 are the same high expectations he had for himself in 2017 season. At the end of the 2017 cross country season, Cayo finished 45th overall (30:06.2) at Midwest Regionals and wasn't able to make it to the national meet.
"Leading up to the regional meet last year, I was feeling great and the confidence was soaring," Cayo said. "But I got dinged up before the meet and didn't feel 100 percent, which was frustrating."
Cayo continued his huge sophomore season into the outdoor track season, nearly qualifying for the NCAA West Regionals in the 10k.
"It hurt to fall short of my goal and it was a gut-punch to later find out I was the first one out of the race," explained Cayo. "The Mt. SAC was especially disappointing because of how slow the race started, it felt like we had to run down the mark at the end."
"I felt like I was really capable to get into the regional meet, but it just wasn't the case," Cayo explained.
As Cayo recapped his 2017-18 seasons, he saw the experiences as a positive rather than a negative.
"Looking back at the cross country season, I'm grateful for the opportunity I was given and I didn't hang my head too much," Cayo stated. "And the outdoor season was obviously disappointing but it just added fuel to the fire and I am very motivated this season to put myself into position."
Cayo's storyline last year could see similarities between senior Rachel King's 2017-18 run to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in June after just missing the 2017 NCAA Cross Country Championship last November.
"Her story last year was really motivating and inspirational," explained Cayo. "She worked really hard to overcome a lot and was finally rewarded with an opportunity. It's a sign for everyone to take advantage of your opportunities when they're presented."
Even after all the success Cayo had last year, he won't call it a breakout year (XC: winning the league's individual championship crown, being named championship MVP and athlete of the year, winning his first two athlete of the week honors, TF: moving into the school's top 10 all-time list in numerous events, and winning his first events at the league championships).
"I would rather call it just another big step than a breakout year," Cayo explained. "A big step means that there is still more to come while a breakout is considered kind of a peak. And I want to have another big step this year, keeping the sky as the limit and always wanting more."
With the fire lit under Cayo, he believes he is setup for another "big step" this year.
"I feel better than last year at this time," Cayo said. "I increased my mileage to about 85 miles per week and kept my focus on the little things like core, strength, and stretching."
"One thing I've learned and have been doing is listening to my body," Cayo stated. "During some of the runs this summer, I would focus on the mileage while other times I would try to increase my intensity - depending on how I felt."
Being able to adapt and listen to his body is one of the things he wished he could have done more often when he was younger and the one thing he emphasizes to the freshmen.
"Freshman year, I was getting hurt a lot and suffered because I was pushing myself and trying to get the most out of everything I did - which backfired," Cayo explained. "Now, I don't dig myself holes and I listen to my body and work towards the long-haul."
Cayo can already see his training paying off - comparing his yearly time in a light summer 5k-road race, the Hanover Road Race, where he has trimmed time off his mark from year ago.
"I think this was a good summer of training with increased mileage that has prepared me well for the upcoming season," Cayo stated. "So far I've improved on my times on the road race and another race I ran during the summer, so I have a very positive mindset coming into this season."
We will have to wait and see what the season holds for Cayo and the Jackrabbits as they continue their 2018 campaign in Minnesota at the Roy Griak next Saturday.
UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits will be off a weekend (weekend of Sept. 22) and then return to action at the 33rd annual Roy Griak Invitational in Falcon Heights, Minn. on Saturday, Sept. 29th. The meet at the Les Bolstad Golf Course is one of the largest meets in the country that includes six collegiate races and four high school races. Action begins with the Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon III (Division III) Competition at 9 a.m. NCAA DI action, the races Jackrabbits will compete in, will begin with the men's 8k at 11:10 a.m. and the women's 6k following at 12:15 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the South Dakota State cross country teams, follow the Jackrabbits on Twitter (@GoJacksTFXC) and Instagram (@GoJacksTFXC), and like us on Facebook (/GoJacksTFXC).
PREVIOUS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHTS
Donnay & Peters Set For Sophomore Step (Sept. 9)
Two Jacks Share Different Hometown Experiences (Sept. 16)
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