Crislip, Wilson planning to run at Rio Grande
By Joe Davis, jdavis@mariettatimes.com
POSTED: May 9, 2008
BELPRE — Belpre’s Brandon Crislip hopes to be part of the resurgence of cross country at the University of Rio Grande.
And during down time when he’s not training or competing, Crislip expects to test his luck fishing for bass at Tycoon Lake Wildlife Area.
An avid fisherman and hunter, Crislip admits Tycoon Lake was part of the draw when he recently committed to the Rio Grande Redmen track and cross country program.
“I like the way the team is being put together,” Crislip said of the recruiting efforts of Rio Grande cross country coach Bob Willey. “I like the coach a lot and I like the atmosphere at Rio. Everything on campus is real close.”
Crislip plans to study nursing at Rio Grande.
An individual qualifier who placed 41st in the Division III boys race at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Cross Country Championships last fall at Scioto Downs, Crislip is planning a return trip to Columbus for the state track meet. Last June, Crislip finished 10th overall in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 4:31.35, which remains his personal best.
In the 3,200-meter run, Crislip has turned in a 10:27 this season but his PR at that distance is 10:00 from last season.
Crislip sees himself as a middle distanceman and a candidate for the steeplechase.
“I’d like to try that,” he said.
Crislip is no stranger to facing up to challenges. As a freshman at Belpre, Crislip was a bit on the heavy side.
“I was fat,” Crislip flatly said. “I weighed 185 as a freshman and I started running cross country and the weight came off.”
When wrestling season rolled around, Crislip found himself locked in as Belpre’s 119-pounder.
Willey anticipates replenishing the numbers at the University of Rio Grande through recruiting “10 to 12” freshmen, including Crislip and Warren standout Nick Wilson.
Wilson plans to officially sign with the NAIA school next week, but he’s excited about the prospects of being teammates with Crislip.
“He’s a real good guy,” Wilson said. “We all have fun with him. We always cheer for him at meets and he comes out and practices with us. He follows us around.”
Crislip is the son of Randall and Karen Crislip of Belpre.
