Athlete of the Week: Ryan Dungan

by Kymee Noll – Horizon Sports Editor

Drive, discipline, and determination; all qualities of a great athlete, and sophomore cross country team member and team captain, Ryan Dungan (Kechi, Kan.), possesses all of these and more.  He’s respected and loved by his teammates who look to Dungan for leadership.

Teammate, Bryce Nitzsche (Lincoln, Neb.), follows Dungan for guidance and support.

“Ryan is someone that I can look up to.  He cares a lot, gives great advice, and is super smart,” Nitzsche said.  “He’s a great runner and a great teammate.”

Oliver Denlinger (Denver, Pa.) believes he is a great role model and is amazed by Dungan’s talent.

“Ryan is a natural leader in and out of his running flats.  His persevering mindset and athletic ability allows him to perform at astonishing levels,” says Denlinger.

On Saturday, Sept. 27 the men’s team finished fourth out of eight teams, falling only to four-year (varsity) teams – Tabor, Friends, and McPherson.  Leading the success, Dungan placed 5th out of 70 runners with a career best time of 27:50:52.

Coach Gerry Sieber trusts Dungan with being the strong, confident team leader.  Sieber is also impressed with Dungan’s leadership outside of the team.

“He had a good summer training and he has continued to work hard and perform well,” Sieber said. “He has given our team some very good leadership,”

Dungan intends to transfer to the Colorado School of Mines in Golden to study Chemical Engineering for the 2015-2016 school year.