Charlie Dannatt, an NCAA Divison 2 All-American for Simon Fraser in outdoor track and indoor track along with an NAIA All-American in outdoor track for University of British Columbia, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing Dec. 2 at the NCAA Division 2 Cross Country Championships at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. Dannatt, 23, captured the Division 2 West Region title Nov. 19 in Billings, Mont., by covering the 10-kilometer layout in 30:07.5, helping Simon Fraser finish fourth with 126 points and edging Cal Poly Pomona by one point to advance as a team to the national final for the first time since 2018. Simon Fraser is looking to improve on its best team performance in program history of 12th place at the 2015 Division 2 championship meet, with Dannatt looking to join Sean Miller from 2018 as the school's only men's cross country All-Americans. Dannatt reflects on finishing 21st last season at the West Regional in Oregon and the improvements he has made as a 10-kilometer competitor and his ambition to place higher than Miller's 23rd-place effort in Washington. He revisits competing at the Division 2 Pre-National meet Oct. 22 at Chambers Bay and finishing seventh overall on the 8-kilometer course and explains how significant the experience was for Simon Fraser in not only motivation to return for the NCAA final, but also preparation for the championship race. Dannatt also shares how important it has been to race against competitors from Colorado School of Mines, in addition to how valuable it has been to compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference against Cole Nash from Alaska Anchorage, plus Rory Abberton and Jack Emanuel from Chico State in the West Region. He also analyzes how meaningful the opportunity is to compete at indoor track, outdoor track and cross country national finals in the same year, and the reminder to not take any of the moments for granted, especially after a potential podium contender in the Adams State men's cross country team didn't qualify for the Division 2 championship meet. Dannatt expresses gratitude for Simon Fraser coach Brit Townsend along with his teammates, friends, family and supporters for helping him maintain strong mental health, especially following his experience at University of British Columbia and during the challenges of the pandemic. He shares how special it was to have his mother in attendance watching live July 9 at Occidental College's Jack Kemp Stadium at the Sound Running Summer Tour event when Dannatt became the 70th male athlete in Canadian history to produce a sub-4 mile, clocking 3:56.34. Dannatt also reacts to the results of the Canadian Cross Country Championships in Ottawa and explains how significant the North American collegiate system has been in developing the next group of Canadian distance standouts.