Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Frequently, athletes from small, rural high schools are at a disadvantage competing at the college level, even in Division III. They have not had the same degree of exposure to weight training and competition as their larger school counterparts, and are often not on the radar of most coaches, who tend to look to larger suburban schools when recruiting.

Wade Ekstrom not only competed for a small school, but also had the additional disadvantage of coming from a high school so isolated they were in a conference in another state. Yet he found his way to Macalester College and he has etched his name among the elite distance runners in school history.

“He has evolved tremendously since his freshman year as both a front-runner and a leader,” stated the Scots’ distance running coach, Matt Haugen. “I have never before coached a runner who could race at the front of events ranging from 800 meters to 8,000 meters. Wade performs at a most elite level on the track and cross country course, and in the classroom. He will be remembered as one of the most elite performers in Macalester cross country and track history. Wade’s name will remain at the top of Macalester performance lists for decades to come.”

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