APR. 1 — 2002 Year In Review
Miller says injuries hamper, but season ends well

Team leader: Head coach Lyle Miller cited Justin Gillette as one of the team’s leaders in 2002.

The roster was small, but several individual performances were among the highlights for the men’s cross country team during the 2002 season.
Just seven names made up the roster, but six had running experience for the Maple Leafs, four returning to the lineup from a year ago.

Justin Gillette and Merlin Miller led the team throughout the year, including at the season-end championship meets where nearly every runner met or nearly matched their best time of the year.

“Justin’s season got off to a great start after a strong summer of conditioning,” said coach Lyle Miller in recapping the year. “His performances at Defiance and Bethel were simply outstanding.”

The sophomore turned in times of 25:55 and 26:01 in finishing second and then first at the two invitationals, the first in a field of more than 100 runners.

“I think Justin had a legitimate chance of qualifying for our national meet if he had stayed healthy,” said Miller. Gillette suffered a freak, non-running injury at his on-campus job, an injury that kept him from practicing for several days and from competing in one meet and hampered his running for the remainder of the season. “Though he bounced back to lead the team at the Region VIII meet, he wasn’t close to full strength,” said Miller.

“Merlin was a model of consistency for us, both in practice and in meets,” said coach Miller. “I think his maturity was a significant factor in the way the rest of the team was able to stay together when we were battling some injuries. He also did a good job of maintaining a focus in his own racing. He dropped more than a minute off his best time from previous seasons, and I think it had as much to do with his mental preparation as with his physical conditioning.”

Closely pushing Merlin at several meets was senior Rustin Nyce, who returned to the team after missing his junior season while studying overseas. “Rustin was also student teaching, so he did all of his conditioning on his own,” said Miller. “That made it tougher to do speedwork, but the solid base he had under his belt still allowed him to compete well. He needed to miss a couple meets, and it was obvious when he was there. His contribution in the third spot was significant.”

The other two returnees from last season’s squad are Justin Wikerd and Daniel Stowe, who ran fourth and fifth at most meets. “Justin’s times didn’t match up to where they were a year ago, but he’s a very talented runner. He was just starting to come around at the end of the season, and the conference and regional meets were his best of the year,” said Miller.

Stowe was among the team’s most consistent runners, turning in several times between 30 minutes and 31:30, including narrowly missing breaking the 30-minute barrier at the conference meet. “I think Daniel’s best times are still in front of him,” said Miller. “He turned in some really excellent practices, and was just starting to translate that work into solid performances on meet days.”

Elias Gathenya completed his first year of cross country at Goshen after transferring from a community college in Kansas. He turned in a strong track and field season at Goshen in 2001.

“Elias had not competed in cross country for a couple seasons, and it took him a while to get untracked and over some injuries. He was starting to come on at the last two meets of the season, and he was one of the few people in the entire field who improved his time from conference to regional,” said Miller. “Now that he is back into racing mode, l look forward to seeing how next season will go.”

Rounding out the squad was Nathan Meyer, running competitively for the first time. “Nathan jumped in with a lot of enthusiasm,” said Miller. “To get ready to compete for 8,000 meters takes a lot of effort, but Nathan has shown he is willing to do it.”

Injuries helped keep the team from competing well in one of the NAIA’s toughest and most balanced conference and regional meets, though four of the team members turned in their best time of the year at the Mid-Central College Conference Championships. Two weeks later, the Maple Leafs also knocked off several teams that had beaten them earlier to finish ninth among 13 teams at the regional meet.

Sophomore Justin Gillette

Marion, IN — Beginning the year with a short-handed squad and ending it with an even smaller group due to injuries, the Goshen College men’s cross country team put forth a dignified effort at the NAIA Region VIII Championships Saturday, finishing as the ninth-place team in one of the toughest regions in the country.

“We probably competed as well against the field as we have all season, and knocked off a couple of teams that were beating us earlier in the year,” said Lyle Miller, Goshen head coach. “The weather was very windy, and the course at Indiana Wesleyan is very open, so Saturday didn't lend itself to very good times, but we did do a number of nice things.”

Goshen finished with 268 team points, and was able to defeat Tri-State (279 points), Cornerstone 289, Marian 330 and St. Francis incomplete. The Leafs were led by sophomore Justin Gillette’s 31st place finish in a time of 27:45. Gillette, who has been recovering from a strained Achilles, was a far cry from his usual self, posting a time almost two minutes slower than his average pace prior to his injury.

“Justin Gillette continues to rebound from his freak Achilles injury, and I feel bad for him not being able to be in the thick of things going after a spot at nationals,” Miller said. “He's matured greatly as a runner this season, and I expect great things from him down the road.”

Senior Merlin Miller placed next for the Leafs and 43rd overall with a time of 28:08. Classmate Rustin Nyce finished 65th with a 28:54 clip.

“Merlin again ran a solid race to end a very strong senior season,” Lyle Miller said. “His consistency and leadership were crucial in our development from beginning of the season to the end. Rustin Nyce and Justin Wikerd (76th place, 29:29) also maintained their positions in relation to the rest of the guys on our team.

“This was the first time when we've had a full team that Elias Gathenya (98th place, 30:41) stepped into the scoring five. After being away from competition for more than a year and then battling injuries all season, he's just starting to round into shape. He was one of just a few guys in the entire race to drop their times from the Mid-Central Collegiate meet a few weeks ago. If we had a few more meets, I think his times would continue to drop significantly. Daniel Stowe's (104th place, 31:25) and Nathan Meyer's (115th place, 36:58) times aren't indicative of the kind of efforts they put in. They also ran tough in the tough conditions.”

Aquinas took the automatic team bid to nationals with 54 points. The individual medallist for the meet was Taylor’s Bret Grover, who won the race in a time of 25:19. Other teams finishing included Siena Heights with 70 points, Grace 94, Taylor 107, Huntington 112, Indiana Wesleyan 115, Bethel 192 and Spring Arbor 207.
Miller said he’s pleased with where his small squad has gone this year, though the room for improvement still lingers for the future.

“It's been a long season, and I've been proud of the way they've hung tough in the face of one of the toughest areas of the country,” he said. “Though Merlin and Rustin graduate, I'm optimistic that we've begun to lay the seeds of a strong program. We've got several guys returning that I think will run better a year from now, and in our recruiting, we'll be looking for several athletes who are looking for a place to step in and contribute right away.”

Goshen Individual Results
Justin Gillette (31st) — 27:45
Merlin Miller (43rd) — 28:08
Rustin Nyce (65th) — 28:54
Justin Wikerd (76th) — 29:29
Elias Gathenya (98th) — 30:41
Daniel Stowe (104th) — 31:25
Nathan Meyer (115th) — 36:58

Lifetime best: Senior Merlin Miller, shown here competing in the Goshen Ponderosa Invitational on Oct. 5, achieved a career-best clip of 26:42 at the MCC Championships on Saturday.

Mishawaka, IN — Despite finishing seventh in the Mid-Central Collegiate Conference Championships at Bethel Saturday, Goshen head coach Lyle Miller was especially proud of his squad’s effort. With the team’s leader injured and facing intense rival runners, the Goshen team turned in one of its best performances of the year.

“We’re running in one of the most competitive NAIA conferences in the country, and we’re still not at full strength,” Miller said. “However, we did a number of nice things today.”

Topping the list of positives was senior Merlin Miller’s team-leading finish at a clip of 26:42, good for 24th place overall. That pace broke Miller’s career-best time by a full minute. Usual sophomore standout Justin Gillette is still nursing an Achilles injury, and turned in a respectable time of 27:07 for the Leafs, second on the team behind Miller’s clip and 32nd overall.

“Merlin’s race was a highlight, and Justin’s Achilles has been improving significantly,” said Lyle Miller. “With two more weeks of recovery (before our next meet), I expect him to turn in a strong performance at our regional meet.”

Miller gave credit to sophomore Justin Wikerd (28:02, 44th place) for having his greatest focused-match of the year, while classmate Daniel Stowe (30:01, 62nd place) ran his career-best time.

“(Senior) Rustin Nyce also ran well, and (junior) Elias Gathenya is still recovering from knee problems, so his improvement was significant,” Miller said. “(Freshman) Nathan Meyer also matched his best time despite missing a turn near the finish.”

Complete team results from the championships: Grace 46 points, Indiana Wesleyan 70, Huntington 79, Taylor 89, Bethel 92, Marian 130, Goshen 181 and St. Francis finished with an incomplete score. Individual medallist for the race was Bret Grover of Taylor, winning the event with a time of 24:24.

Goshen will now have two weeks to prepare for the NAIA Region VIII Championships. That race will take place at Indiana Wesleyan on Nov. 9. The men’s contest is slated to begin at 11:45 a.m.

Goshen Individual Results
Merlin Miller (24th) — 26:42
Justin Gillette (32nd) — 27:07
Rustin Nyce (35th) — 27:31
Justin Wikerd (44th) — 28:02
Daniel Stowe (62nd) — 30:01
Elias Gathenya (67th) — 30:55
Nathan Meyer (73rd) — 36:09

Senior Merlin Miller

Kenosha, WI — It was a poor weekend for Goshen to be without its top runner, as the Leafs competed in the 21-team Wisconsin-Parkside Invitational on Saturday. Regardless of competing in the largest event of the season thus far, Goshen sophomore standout Justin Gillette was unavailable for competition due to a “freak accident” earlier in the week.

“Justin Gillette injured his Achilles tendon this week in a freak accident at his on-campus job, and at a meet this size and quality, a team can’t afford to be without its top runner,” said Lyle Miller, Goshen head coach.

As a result of losing Miller — he has been the top finisher for the Leafs in all previous meets this year — Goshen took home a 21st-place finish, competing against NCAA Division I, II, and III teams, along with NAIA schools.
Senior Merlin Miller set the pace for Goshen, finishing in 129th place with a time of 27:50. Sophomore Justin Wikerd was second for the squad and 261st overall, finishing with a clip of 29:46.

“Merlin Miller ran a strong race, coming within a few seconds of his career-best time on a very challenging course,” Lyle Miller said.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville won the team event, collecting only 85 points on the day. Jack Kafel, an unattached runner, took individual medallist honors at the meet, finishing in a time of 24:50.

Goshen will compete next at the Mid-Central Collegiate Conference Championships at Bethel on Saturday. Race time for the men is set for 12:15 p.m. It is currently uncertain whether Gillette will be able to compete in that race.

Goshen Individual Results
Merlin Miller (129th) — 27:50
Justin Wikerd (261st) — 29:46
Daniel Stowe (303rd) — 31:27
Elias Gathenya (314th) — 35:53
Nathan Meyer (316th) — 37:50

Perfect start: The five-man Goshen squad begins the Goshen Ponderosa Invitational Saturday afternoon. The Leafs took home a fourth-place team finish.

Leaf leader: sophomore Justin Gillette legs it out in the middle stretch of the Goshen Ponderosa Invitational. Gillette was the top collegiate finisher in the meet, notching a time of 26:57 on the afternoon.

Goshen, IN — Goshen had its one chance to run on its own course this weekend, competing in the Goshen Ponderosa Invitational on Saturday. The Leafs finished the event with a fourth-place team showing (73 points), including the top collegiate runner at the event — sophomore Justin Gillette with a time of 26:57.

“We’re still not a full strength, missing one person because of another commitment and one person to injury,” Goshen head coach Lyle Miller said.

Gillette’s time — albeit good enough to take the top collegiate honors — was about a minute off of his normal clip, despite the picture-perfect conditions that Saturday had to offer.

“Justin Gillette finished in the top 50 in the Twin Cities Marathon last Sunday and his legs were still a bit too heavy to be able to sprint over the last mile,” Miller said. “But he did a good job of pushing the pace early.”

Goshen was also paced by seniors Merlin Miller and Rustin Nyce, who finished with times of 28:04 and 28:38, respectively.

“Merlin Miller went out aggressively and ran a solid race, particularly in relation to some of the runners he’s been competing against,” Lyle Miller said. “Ditto for Rustin Nyce and (sophomore) Daniel Stowe. (Freshman) Nathan Meyer knocked off considerable time from earlier this season.”

Bethel took home the team trophy with a 25-point performance. Other teams competing included Tri-State (66 points) and Olivet (MI) (71 points). Grace competed in the race, but did not have enough runners finish to register a team score.

Mike Cole (unattached) took medallist honors in the race, just edging out Gillette down the stretch with a time of 26:42.

Goshen has two weeks to heal and prepare for another meet. The team will travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin to take part in the Wisconsin-Parkside Invitational on October 19. Men’s meet time is slated for 1:45 p.m.

Goshen Individual Results
Justin Gillette (2nd) — 26:57
Merlin Miller (8th) — 28:04
Rustin Nyce (16th) — 28:38
Daniel Stowe (32nd) — 31:37
Nathan Meyer (40th) — 36:03

Sophomore Justin Gillette

Mishawaka, IN — The bright spot for Goshen on Friday was sophomore Justin Gillette’s first place individual finish at the Bethel Invitational. Gillette finished the race in a time of 26:01, the ninth-fastest time in the history of Goshen College and the fourth fastest among sophomores.

Unfortunately, Goshen did not have enough runners to qualify for a team score in the event, as several athletes have dealt with injuries to an already small seven-man squad.

“We're struggling with injuries at a time when we don't have the depth to be able to afford it, and we also had one athlete missing because of a commitment to student teaching,” said Lyle Miller, Goshen head coach. “Justin again ran very well, pulling away from the field very early and winning by nearly 30 seconds.”

Goshen was also paced by senior Merlin Miller, who came within five seconds of his career-best time in finishing at 27:47. Sophomore Daniel Stowe knocked off more than a minute from a few weeks ago, finishing the race at a 30:58 clip.

Goshen will host its own invitational this Saturday. Men’s meet time is slated for 1 p.m. The race will begin behind the Eigsti Track and Field Complex at Goshen.

Goshen Individual Results
Justin Gillette (1st) — 26:01
Merlin Miller (12th) — 27:47
Justin Wikerd (23rd) — 29:01
Daniel Stowe (31st) — 30:58

Senior Merlin Miller

Defiance, OH — Citing a tremendous overall improvement from just one week ago, Goshen head coach Lyle Miller came away from the Defiance Invitational feeling quite good about his team. Goshen finished eighth (165 team points) out of the 12-team field, but had a number of bettered times from various individuals in showing signs of what could be a very competitive year for the Leafs.

Leading the charge for Goshen again was sophomore Justin Gillette, who took home second place with a time of 25:55, taking more than a minute off of his fastest time from a year ago. Gillette’s sub-26 minute finish is the sixth-fastest ever run by a Maple Leaf, and places him as the seventh member in the under-26-minute club. His time also goes down as the third-fastest clip by a Goshen sophomore.

“I was pleased with the improvement we showed in a number of spots,” Miller said. “Justin (Gillette) gave us a hint of what he’s capable of. He ran with a national qualifier for well over four miles and had a very consistent race. The next step for him to becoming a really top-notch runner is to show that he can do it day in and day out.”

The Leafs improvements did not end with Gillette. Senior Merlin Miller posted a time of 27:42 in making a new personal career best, shattering his old record by 26 seconds. Sophomores Justin Wikerd and Daniel Stowe each knocked off almost two minutes from their respective times a week ago.

“I think we competed much better as a team than a week ago at Grace, and I think there’s a lot more in the tank for these guys,” Miller said.

Bethel took home team medallist honors with 68 points. Eric Hamner of Tiffin won the individual race with a clip of 25:37.

Goshen will compete at the Indiana Intercollegiates on Friday. Race time is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Goshen Individual Results
Justin Gillette (2nd) — 25:55
Merlin Miller (17th) — 27:42
Rustin Nyce (28th) — 28:05
Justin Wikerd (52nd) — 29:21
Daniel Stowe (88th) — 32:01
Elias Gathenya (101st) — 36:01
Nathan Meyer (106th) — 43:35

Sophomore Justin Gillette

Winona Lake, IN — Goshen began its cross country season Saturday at the Grace Invitational in what head coach Lyle Miller called “a measuring stick” for the team. The Leafs took a third place team finish at the five-team invite, scoring 69 points. Huntington took team medallist honors, scoring 27 points.

“Our plan for this day was to consider this race as a measuring stick, and we were able to find out some things about ourselves,” Miller said. “We’re going to improve significantly over the course of the year as our conditioning catches up with our talent.”

Goshen was led by sophomore Justin Gillete’s fourth place finish, in a time of 27:37. Gillette was just a little more than two minutes off the medallist pace of 25:26, set by Huntington’s John Ngure.

Senior Rustin Nyce took home 16th place with a time of 29:45 for the Leafs, as sophomore Justin Wikerd rounded out the top 20 with a clip of 31:23.

Other team scores for the meet included Grace with 37 points. St. Francis did not complete the meet standards for point allocation.

Goshen will travel to Ohio this Saturday to take part in the Defiance Invitational. Men’s start time is slated for 11:45 a.m.

Goshen Individual Results
Justin Gillette (4th) — 27:37
Rustin Nyce (16th) — 29:45
Justin Wikerd (20th) — 31:23
Merlin Miller (21st) — 31:43
Elias Gathenya (26th) — 34:02
Daniel Stowe (27th) — 34:13

Miller

Goshen, IN — Goshen College has announced that Lyle Miller will return to the coaching field, taking over the reins of a cross country program he previously led for eight seasons.

“We are very pleased and excited to have Lyle rejoin our coaching staff,” said Ken Pletcher, Goshen College Athletic Director. “We know Lyle well and believe he will do a great job in leading our distance running program.”

Miller takes over for Phil Hostetler, who stepped down after three seasons at the Maple Leaf helm.

"Phil did an outstanding job with the program and there are a number of excellent runners already on board," said Miller. "I was impressed when I met with several of the athletes during the interview process. Their depth as individuals, and the commitment they bring to the sport, was a major factor in deciding that this is the right time for me to return to coaching."

Miller was instrumental in beginning the Goshen College women's program, serving as its first full-season coach in 1986. He added men's responsibilities the following year, taking over as head coach in both sports in 1988. During an eight-year tenure that concluded in 1993, he coached seven NAIA All-American Scholar-Athletes, seven national championship qualifiers, 16 All-NAIA District 21 performers, including two individual champions, and 18 all-conference selections, including three individual champions. Miller was chosen Mid-Central College Conference women's coach of the year after the Maple Leafs won the 1992 team championship. His top men's finish was in 1988, when the team missed winning the conference crown by three points.

Miller also coached additional national qualifiers and other award winners during seven years as an assistant or head coach in the Maple Leaf track and field program.

"One of my first priorities is to get to know all of the returning runners and to assure them of their importance in the Goshen College program," said Miller. "In addition, even though it's late to be beginning this fall's recruiting process, I believe there's still time to attract quality student-athletes to Goshen -- we do still have scholarship money available for high school athletes who fit the spiritual, academic and athletic mission of the college. As these new people join our returning athletes, I hope that the transition in coaching will be as seamless as possible; our returning people deserve as much for the hard work they've already put in, and I'm counting on them in a big way.

"I hope that athletes find me to be a person who cares about their complete development, both in and out of running shoes," said Miller in reflecting about his coaching philosophy. "Striving to reach our complete potential is part of what makes this sport fun for everyone involved. I don't think it's a coincidence that our program has had graduates go on to become teachers, professors, doctors, accountants and missionaries, for example. The mission of Goshen College is to develop informed, articulate, sensitive, responsible Christians, and I believe that cross country can play a key role in that development for many athletes. Cross country is one part of a bigger picture for our student-athletes."

Miller is a 1989 graduate of Goshen College with a major in sports management and has done graduate study at the University of Iowa. He also serves as director of printing and mailing services at the college, a position he will continue. He, his wife, Bonnie, and their two children attend Waterford Mennonite Church, where he is active as a member of the Ministry Leadership Council and serves as church treasurer.

Contact Miller at (219) 535-7573 (or 800-348-7422, ext. 7573) or lylegm@goshen.edu