Vicker to join SWCC cross country staff

Southwestern added another to its cross country coaching staff Monday afternoon, tagging Scott Vicker as an assistant coach.

Vicker, a lifelong Creston resident, was a highly successful cross country and track runner while at Creston High School.

As a high schooler, he racked up a long list of accolades that included being a three-time individual state cross country qualifier and a four-time state meet medalist in track where he finished as runner-up in the 1,600 meter run.

Vicker was also a participant at the Drake Relays while with Creston, earning a medal in the 3,200, an event which he holds the Creston school record in. He also holds the record in the 1,600 for Creston.

The decorated career for Vicker earned him an opportunity to run at the Division I level, running on scholarship for Saint Louis University of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

At one point, Vicker held school records in the indoor distance medley relay, outdoor 4x800 relay, and 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Currently working as a marketing and institutional advancement specialist in the student services division for SWCC, the internal hire of one of the best runners Creston has seen in recent memory was a no-brainer.

“When Scott first expressed interest in coming out and working for the college in some capacity, I knew he’d be a good fit in athletics,” said athletic director Doug North. “When this opened up, he was definitely one of my first people that I thought of, especially with him being local. (Hiring) internally always helps, but he was a clear on the forefront to be a natural fit for the position.”

The interest to take his abilities to the next level and become a coach has always been on Vicker’s mind.

“Bill Taylor has always kind of wanted me to get involved in coaching, really, ever since I moved back to Creston,” said Vicker. “He gave me a heads up that there would be an opening and he thought I should apply for it. I thought about it for a couple of days and decided if this was something I wanted to give a try. I finally decided, ‘yeah, I think I’d like to do this.’”

With knowledge and experience of a former Division I athlete, Vicker believes his past will work perfectly with what a junior college like Southwestern has to offer.

“I think it’ll translate really well. That’s four years of my life training at a very high level in both cross country and track,” said Vicker. “The experiences I’ve had competing and racing, I know I can really help the kids out with their race strategies and their training. I’m really looking forward to it and the opportunity.”

North believes that with Vicker using his experience in reaching Division I as something that will help junior college student athletes achieve their dreams of running in at the Div. I level.

“If they (student athletes) kind of go the junior college rout, a lot of them are still pursuing that NCAA Division I dream,” said North. “Scott lived that dream. He can attest to the hard work it takes on the academic side as well as on the track. He can attest to everything else that goes with being that high caliber student athlete and can bring that to the program as well.”

SWCC cross country head coach Trey Bruton is pleased with the addition to the coaching staff.

“Scott brings a wealth of experience in cross country and track, and that will strengthen our program in the areas of training and recruiting,” stated Bruton in a press release from Southwestern. “Being a local and working in sports for the newspaper and marketing here at SWCC, he’s built relationships with coaches and knows Southwest Iowa better than most.”

Prior to working at Southwestern, Vicker was the sports editor before moving to the managing editor position at the Creston News Advertiser.

Vicker will begin his duties with the cross country program immediately, joining the program in time for the women’s Region XI Time Trial at Cedar Creek Golf Course in Ottumwa on Friday, Aug. 23.