Cross Country Championships

Cross Country Championships

Protect the community.

Terre haute has lost 2 national cross country meets.... at 5 we told you how much of an impact it has on businesses around the area.

Now we hear from a cross country coach who says this was a huge blow to the upcoming season.

News 10's richard solomon joins us now live from the lavern gibson cross country course.

He shares more..

I spoke with rose hulman cross country coach "jeff" wayton.

He says telling his athletes the national championship was canceled was heartbreaking.

But it's to keep everyone safe.

The lavern cross country course won't see any major traffic this fall..

"to see the announcement is..does kind of take your breath away and that just shows the severity of the situation that we're in with covid-19" the ncaa decided to cancel 2 national cross country meets.

The pre national invitational and national championship.

But it's no surprise to rose hulman cross country coach geoff wayton.

"we saw it coming.

Our student athletes were really looking forward to hosting you know our seniors meet.

The word cancel not postponed it's not like we can host this next year.

Things kind of start over" he says the ncaa requested... each division meet certain requirements..

Like health screenings and physical testing.

But 11 conferences out of the 23 had announced they wouldn't compete during the fall season.

The cancelations of the cross country meets impact more than just sports.

"the economic fall out on this is terrible it's a huge financial hit for our community" david patterson's with the terre haute convention and visitors bureau.

He says the national championship alone brings in more than 6,000 people ranking in millions.

But he also says canceling the meets this year is the best option.

"they are airing on the side of caution.

There's every state in america that's coming here and so the travel alone puts those kids at risk" but coach wayton says..in sports..and in life...sometimes you have to make adjustments on the fly.

"you're always looking a way around a hurdle you got to move on and you have to say what next" what next" you have to say to move on and you have to say what next" patterson told me they have already told me they patterson what next" you have to say to move on and you have to say what next" patterson told me they have already place a bid for the next championship.

He says thery haven't heard from to ncaa on making up these meets in the future.

Reporting live in terre haute richard solomon news 10 back to you.

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