Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Luke Karnauskas, MSU-N X-Country

Luke Karnauskas has been a staple of the local running scene, first as an athlete at Havre High and now as a member of the Montana State University-Northern Men's cross country team.

Karnauskas, who is among the Lights top runners this season, is in his third year with the program and his second season running attached for MSU-N after his red shirt season back in 2016-17.

"It's definitely a big step up in competition," Karnauskas said of collegiate cross country. "You are running against people that have certain skills to run at this level and that makes it really challenging and competitive."

Both teams are fresh off competing in the Montana Invite in Bozeman, where the Lights and Skylights got the chance to run against the University of Montana, Montana State, Idaho, Eastern Washington, Gonzaga and a number of others. Karnauskas said running against Division I athletes was an eye-opening experience.

"Their ability to just push themselves beyond their limits is pretty incredible," Karnauskas said. "We all have our own physical limitations and doing well as a runner is about kind of pushing those and pushing through the pain, and they just do a great job of that. It's fun to see that high level and work to try and match that."

While both Northern cross country teams are off this weekend, their preparation for the stretch run has already begun and over the next couple of weeks, they will head to Lewis and Clark State, as well as Montana-Western for the final two regular-season meets for MSU-N ahead of the Frontier Conference Championships, which will be held in Great Falls Nov. 2.

Last season, Karnauskas and the Lights finished last out of five teams at the meet, coming in behind LC State, Rocky Mountain College, Carroll College and Providence. For his part, Karnauskas finished 17th at the meet, in a time of 26:37, which left him just two spots shy of making the NAIA National Championships.

Obviously, Karnauskas is focused on trying to close that cap and reach the national meet this season, however, he doesn't want to do it alone. He is focused on helping his teammates get there as well and in a few weeks, the Lights and Skylights will get their chance. Before Karnauskas embarks on the final three races of the season, though, the Havre Daily News caught up with him for five questions.

HDN: What's the biggest difference between running in high school and college?

Karnauskas: "The level of intensity is really increased. It's not just your team making it to state, you have a select few on a team that has the individual qualities that our coach saw in us during high school, so it's definitely a step up. The practices are harder and longer. It's just more intense.

HDN: One difference is five-mile races for men instead of three-mile races, how have you adjusted to that long distance?

Karnauskas: "I have to run the race differently and I have to tell myself to keep going and push through more. You know it's going to hurt, but eventually, the pain is going to go away. Our coach tells us the sooner we are going to get done, the sooner it will stop hurting."

HDN: What has been your most memorable race up to this point in your career?

Karnauskas: "I would have to say the Frontier Conference (Championship) last season. I took about three minutes off my time and finished just a couple spots short of making nationals. I was happy with how I placed but was more happy with the minutes I knocked off my time."

HDN: How has this season been going?

Karnauskas: "Things have been going well. We are really focused on trying to improve our pack times and that's been a big focus for us. That and we want to try and beat Providence and hopefully Carroll at the Frontier Conference meet. We came close last season and that's one of our goals."

HDN: Is making nationals one of your goals for the rest of the season?

Karnauskas: "I would love to make it to nationals. But I am more focused on trying to help my teammates get there, too. It's not just about me, but it's about trying to also help my teammates get there with me, too. That's our focus right now."