Duo of speedy seniors set to lead team

Monday, August 13, 2007

Batman and Robin, Starsky and Hutch, Shaggy and Scooby, and now the University of Kansas men’s cross country team has its own dynamic duo: senior All-Americans Colby Wissel and Paul Hefferon.

The two finished 2006 strong and plan to keep up the pace this season. The team finished 20th last year in the Men’s NCAA Cross Country Championships, and these two All-Americans were vital to the team’s success.

Wissel won the individual Big 12 title last year, but he is not content to sit back and relish his accomplishments just yet. With one final year of eligibility, he hopes to reach his full potential as a runner this fall.

“With outside pressure, people think because I won it last year, I automatically should win it this year,” Wissel said. “Although I don’t really pay that much attention or care about that pressure, my main focus is the pressure I put on myself. The pressure I put on myself is to be the best runner I can and to keep giving everything I have.”

Wissel’s partner in crime is looking for a big season as well. Hefferon finished 42nd individually at the NCAA championships last year and was also named to the all-region team.

“Paul is a great teammate and very determined,” Wissel said. “He wants to do well and he is very focused to do so. Paul’s very dedicated and that helps make him a great asset to the team.”

With goals and expectations weighing on Hefferon’s shoulders like his counterpart’s, it is his internal drive that is fueling his need to improve.

“My goal for the team is to qualify for Nationals again,” Hefferon said. “I need to do whatever is necessary to help my teammates be successful while doing everything I can to get myself ready.”

While Wissel and Hefferon will lead the pack, additional leadership will come from Patrick McGowan, the only other returning senior.

“Patrick has a great ability to run and I think that he is going to step up this year and be a big factor in our team’s success,” Wissel said. “We need to step up as leaders where last year’s seniors left off and I think the three of us will be able to do that.”

One underclassman that could have an impact this season is sophomore Bret Imgrund.

“Bret’s sophomore year is very important because I think that that’s the year a lot of people break out,” Hefferon said. “Getting used to college is tough, but Bret had a very successful freshman year and I think he will continue to get better.”

The season begins September 1 at the Bob Timmons Invitational at Rim Rock Farm.

— Edited by Kyle Carter

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