Two of the best in northern Kentucky have committed to Northern Kentucky University to run XC/Track next year. Bishop Brossart's Michael Caldwell and Highlands John Michael Griffith made that decision this week.
Caldwell established himself as one of the best XC runners in Kentucky this fall running sub 16 five times including a PR of 15:39 at the Grant County Championship. He went on to win the Class A Region 4 Championship this season. Last spring he ran PRs at every major distance in track, 1:59 800m, 4:28 1600m, 9:56 3200m. He helped lead his Mustang teammates to a state title as a member of the 3200m Relay at the Kentucky State Track Meet.
Griffith became a major player on the track scene last March at the Mason-Dixon Games in Louisville. He won the 1500m and 800m Class AA Indoor titles and never looked back from there all spring. He went onto set PRs across the distance spectrum 2:00 800m, 4:26 One Mile, 9:38 3200m. He ended his track season with a Class AA Kentucky state title in the 3200m, running that PR time of 9:38.43. This fall he was 2nd at the Class AA Region 4 Championship.
On why they chose NKU:
Michael Caldwell
"The reason I chose NKU is because of the talent they have returning that is capable of showing the new comers how it's done. Also Coach Kruse is a great communicator and has a lot of enthusiasm for the sport which is similar to the coaching staff at Brossart. Although I'm not looking past this track season, I'm excited to join the Norse of Northern Kentucky this summer and next fall."
John Michael Grittith
"I choose NKU because of the welcoming environment I felt during my visit from the team, my ability to get my degree at reasonable price, and the chance to compete for team that has been improving every since their decision to go to Division 1."