Former Jackrabbits reflect on alumni experience

BROOKINGS — Brendan Sage never thought about running a marathon. In fact, the 2017 SDSU graduate and former two-time All-Summit League honoree in indoor and outdoor track and field thought the idea of toeing the line for a 26.2 mile race was out of the question.

"I was one of those people that said the marathon sounds stupid, it sounds crazy," said Sage. "Even when I was in college, I never thought about running one."

On Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, Sage finally ran his first marathon— the Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Marathon in Phoenix, Ariz.— and won.

After two hours, 20 minutes and 58 seconds of running, Sage crossed the finish line, holding a 5:22 pace across 26.2 miles of hot Phoenix pavement, beating out 2260 other racers— 14 of which ran in the men's elite division alongside him.

Even though he didn't think about running a marathon during his college career, the St. Michael, Minn. native's time with the Jackrabbits cross country and track teams came to his mind during the race.

While a student-athlete as SDSU under head coach Rod DeHaven, Sage was named the 2013 Summit League Newcomer of the Championships in cross country, named All-Summit League second team in 2013 and 2016 and was named to the League's first team in 2014.

"The Friday before I flew out, I texted Rod just to see if he had any quick tips so he gave me a call and helped me out," said Sage.

During the race Sage thought back to his college career and all coaches, teammates and training that helped get him to that moment.

"Having an inspiration like Rod as your coach and being a part of the tradition the program has is great. I have a lot of pride being a part of a group that's always been successful," said Sage.

Part of this tradition was put on display Saturday at the Jim Emmerich Alumni Invitational. Named after longtime SDSU cross country and track coach Jim Emmerich, program alumni came out to participate in the Phil LaVallee Alumni mile, where former Jackrabbit Kyle Burdick took first place with a time of 4:24.59.

Cheering on current Jackrabbits and also lacing up for the alumni mile, former Jackrabbit Chris Gruenhagen, who now coaches cross country and track at Brookings High School, was also at Saturday's event.

Like Sage, Gruenhagen reflected back on what it means to be an alumni of the Jackrabbits cross country and track and field program.

"Being an alumni of the Jacks means so much to me, it's a family that continues to grow," said Gruenhagen, who has transitioned several athletes over from Brookings High School's cross country and track and field team to coach Rod DeHaven.

"I can't thank them enough for what they have done to turn the program into what it is today," Gruenhagen said. "Coach Paul Danger, who brought me to SDSU and Rod DeHaven, who took over during my third year, have shown so many alumni what it means to be connected to something even after your competitive days have come and gone."

Phil Lavallee Alumni Mile Results:
1. Kyle Burdick: 4:24.59
2. Martin Wennblom: 4:44.54
3. Cal Lawton: 4:50.51
4. Grant Van Kleuen: 4:51.74
5. Trent Lusignan: 4:53.81
6. Austin Hamm: 4:54.14
7. Chris Gruenhagen: 4:55.13
8. Rachel King: 5:05.70
9. Brad Lowery: 5:14.09
10. Emily Donnay: 5:26.88
11. Emily Berzonsky: 5:40.02
12. Rachel Propst: 5:53.07

-GoJacks.com-

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