Catching up with the Champs: Cathy Branta
November 11, 2018 | Women's Cross Country
Branta-Easker recalls being first Badger woman to win individual title
In the lead up to the 2018 NCAA Cross Country Championships, the University of Wisconsin will feature a Q&A with its past NCAA individual champions. Cathy Branta-Easker, a Slinger, Wisconsin native, was the first UW woman to win an NCAA individual cross country title and led the Badgers to their first ever NCAA team title in 1984. Since graduating, Branta-Easker, a Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient, continued her running career at national and international cross country and track events before becoming a teacher and coach in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District. We caught up with Branta-Easker, a UW Hall of Famer, to see what she is doing now, what makes Madison a great place to host NCAAs and what it was like to make history at Wisconsin.Â
What was it like being the first UW women's squad to win a team NCAA cross country title?
Winning an NCAA title as a team is very special, but to be the first in school history makes it even more special and something no one can take away from us.
What was it like coming from Slinger and being able to compete at the University of Wisconsin?
It was a little scary coming from a small town to a big city like Madison but I was happy to be a part of a great program with a rich history and was just hoping I would live up to all of the expectations of a Division I program.
What was it like running for Peter Tegen?
It was scary at first because the workouts were way more intense then high school, so that was a huge adjustment for me but Peter always trained us so that we peaked at the right time. He was also an excellent coach when it came to race strategy. That helped me to win many races. He had a knack for knowing what each of us needed.
What was that feeling like when you won the NCAA individual title?
I followed Peter's race plan and once again it worked great. It was an honor to win an individual title and very special to me but having my team behind me and winning as a team, was even more special.
What advice do you have for our current runners?
My advice would be to listen to your coaches and be patient in your training so that you are ready for the championship part of the season.
What makes Madison such a great place to host NCAAs?
The city of Madison is just a great city to live in or to visit and the new course makes it an excellent venue to host a meet. Also the weather in November can be challenging which makes it true cross country as you have to be able to run in a variety of elements.
What did being a Badger mean to you and how has it shaped who you are today?
Being a Badger was very special to me and I feel the same about it today. It is an excellent school academically as well and I feel fortunate to have received my degree from Wisconsin. My success and happiness in my teaching and coaching jobs are a direct result of the excellent education I received at Wisconsin. Peter's influence on me led me into coaching and I still use some of his ideas in my coaching.
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What was it like being the first UW women's squad to win a team NCAA cross country title?
Winning an NCAA title as a team is very special, but to be the first in school history makes it even more special and something no one can take away from us.
What was it like coming from Slinger and being able to compete at the University of Wisconsin?
It was a little scary coming from a small town to a big city like Madison but I was happy to be a part of a great program with a rich history and was just hoping I would live up to all of the expectations of a Division I program.
What was it like running for Peter Tegen?
It was scary at first because the workouts were way more intense then high school, so that was a huge adjustment for me but Peter always trained us so that we peaked at the right time. He was also an excellent coach when it came to race strategy. That helped me to win many races. He had a knack for knowing what each of us needed.
What was that feeling like when you won the NCAA individual title?
I followed Peter's race plan and once again it worked great. It was an honor to win an individual title and very special to me but having my team behind me and winning as a team, was even more special.
What advice do you have for our current runners?
My advice would be to listen to your coaches and be patient in your training so that you are ready for the championship part of the season.
What makes Madison such a great place to host NCAAs?
The city of Madison is just a great city to live in or to visit and the new course makes it an excellent venue to host a meet. Also the weather in November can be challenging which makes it true cross country as you have to be able to run in a variety of elements.
What did being a Badger mean to you and how has it shaped who you are today?
Being a Badger was very special to me and I feel the same about it today. It is an excellent school academically as well and I feel fortunate to have received my degree from Wisconsin. My success and happiness in my teaching and coaching jobs are a direct result of the excellent education I received at Wisconsin. Peter's influence on me led me into coaching and I still use some of his ideas in my coaching.
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