Burke to Brookings: How a Nebraskan from a small Catholic school is now dominating D1.
By: Alex Madsen
Footsteps crunch and kick the tiny gravel pebbles along the endless country road on the outskirts of Hartington, Nebraska. The stench of livestock filling the air is a simple reminder of the humble and hardworking families who inhabit this land. The crunching of footsteps combines with the gasp between, “Hail Marys” as Carson Noecker recites the rosary during his nice and easy 10-mile morning jog. Noecker isn’t an ordinary college sophomore, but you wouldn’t think twice if you conversed with him.
Noecker isn’t much different from the other thousand or so people who call Hartington their home. He attended Cedar Catholic, works in agriculture for his family, and is full of humility and easygoingness. Don’t let Carson’s simple demeanor fool you, the kid is lighting on the track.
Noecker dominated all four years of high school track at Cedar Catholic. He was never defeated in the 3200m and only lost once in the 1600m. He has personal records of 4:17.80 in 1600m and the Nebraska Class C state record of 9:07.73 in the 3200m. Noecker also dominated Cross Country running for the public-school Hartington Newcastle. He was undefeated in Cross Country all four years, running an impressive 14:51.0. He has a converted 5k time of 14:20.00.
Cross Country is also where Noecker first burst onto the national XCTF scene. Everyone around the area knew Noecker had something special, thus they decided to fundraise to send him to the high-profile Woodbridge Cross Country Classic in Orange County, California. Noecker flew under the radar as the small-town Nebraskan. He used this to secure a margin of huge victory that isn’t usually seen in high profile races.
When asked to describe his Woodbridge trip, Noecker (not off character at all) hardly takes any credit and instead gives gratitude to the ones who fundraised to send him there. “I’m so thankful for the countless people who donated their time and money in order to help me run,” Noecker said. “The trip was amazing. My first
time ever seeing the ocean and being on the plane.” This triumphant victory propelled his name to appear constantly in popular nationwide running forums praising his dominance and asking why he wasn’t competing in other nationwide meets.
Noecker isn’t the stereotypical runner. Noecker doesn’t track mileage or pace, he doesn’t constantly check his heartrate, and his life doesn’t fully revolve around running. Noecker’s life revolves around God. He is always willing to discuss his faith. He credits all succuss to God and those around him who enabled him to be great.
Noecker had a stellar senior year of track. He went undefeated in the 3200m running a state record time of 9:07.73. His 1600m was on par, as he lost only one race that year to Issac Ochoa (a South Dakota State runner and close friend of mine). Even more impressive, Noecker did all this while visiting and contemplating multiple colleges to take his talents to.
Noecker had offers from all over. Coaches realized this kid poessed an abundance of talent and, even more noteworthy, his character. Many track and field followers predicted that he would sign with a large college. Noecker thought differently and decided to take his talents to a school that withheld some of the same characteristics of his hometown. A strong work ethic, unrivaled perseverance and humbleness all described the small prairie town of Hartington Nebraska. These values were proportional to a small D1 school just up north.
In the spring of his senior 2021 campaign, Carson Noecker announced his intent to compete as a Jackrabbit at the University of South Dakota State. For him the choice was a hard one. “The worst part about it was having to call all the coaches who spent their time and energy trying to get me to come and then telling them I wasn’t going to be attending their university,” Noecker said. “But in the end, I’m glad I picked SDSU. I couldn’t be happier. I feel at place and love it. It’s full of good people who are really involved.” Noecker was involved too, as he was already helping lead a Bible study group his first year. Noecker decided to major in Agrimony.
Noecker came there to get a stellar education, but he also went there to run. His freshman season surprised those who doubted his ability to adapt to collegiate competition. Noecker kicked off his Jackrabbit debut with double victories at the Augusta Twilight and the Jackrabbit home meet. The closest challenger to Noecker was 10 seconds behind. Noecker would end the season as Summit League champion, the first ever freshman runner to achieve this. He would then get 15th at the NCAA Division One Midwest Regional. This just added to the hefty expectations tagged on Noecker for the spring outdoor track season. Noecker would just keep setting the world on fire as he would gain silver at the Summit League Outdoor Track Championship in the 5000m and 10,000m after a long and tedious season.
Noecker spent the summer the same way he had ever since he was a kid, running and working on the family farm. “We have about everything here on the farm, so many things to do. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to farm and ranch here in the heartland,” Noecker exclaims. Training over the summer is crucial for any runner, and Noecker didn’t shy away from the backbreaking farm work or the sweat-soaked summer training. “It was hard to go to bed at night and not feel tired,” Noecker said. “It gives a sense of accomplishment for the day. That’s what I strive for.”
The expectations for the 2022 Cross Country season were once again mountainous, but Noecker had never been one to give much care to anyone but him and his coach’s vision. He so far has placed in every regulation meet and gained silver at the ultra-competitive Summit League Cross Country Championships. He is now looking forward to the Midwest Regional, where he has an opportunity to clinch a spot in the NCAA D1 XC Championship.
Despite his enormous successes, Noecker hasn’t really changed. He is still the hardworking blue-collar kid from small town Nebraska. He credits everything to his parents, team, coaches and most importantly – The Lord. “Without him, I am nothing. I feel so blessed to be able to use the tools He gave me to compete in His glory,” Noecker professes. “I am so blessed to have the people, family and background I do.”
I am certain Noecker will keep on dominating the sport of running as he has been for the past six years. I am also wholly certain that Noecker will keep on being the soft-spoken, humble, virtuous and overall good man that he is. He is a role model, not only to the countless boys and girls who compete in Nebraska Track, but to everyone. Although I am convinced that Noecker would not boast about himself in that way, I have no problem doing it for him. Noecker will keep being Noecker. Broken records and unbroken faith are the definition of this man. Godspeed, Carson Noecker, Godspeed.
