Two weeks after dominating the Bob Timmons Invitational, the KU cross country team has been hard at work preparing for the Missouri Cross Country Challenge this Saturday in Columbia, Mo.

The meet is one of a few new events on the team’s schedule. In the past the team has competed against Kansas State in the K-State Invitational. Besides competing against MU, the team will be competing against Lincoln University and Murray State. The event will take place at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course, which the team said is known for its rolling hills.

To prepare, the team has been doing a lot of hill workouts.

“It’s hard but it’s fun. It’s something you have to do,” redshirt freshman Kara Windisch said about hill workouts. Windisch finished fourth last time and said she’s more confident going into the MU race after getting a feel for the 5K at the Bob Timmons Invitational. Windisch sat out last season because of an injury.

Freshman Donny Wasinger said they’ve also incorporated weight training into their workouts.

“I think it’ll help with going up the hills,” Wasinger said.

Wasinger finished fifth overall and first for the Jayhawks on the men’s side at Bob Timmons Invitational.

Many of the runners were impressed with their performances at the Bob Timmons Invitational.

“I think we performed well at our home meet. I felt like we got stronger,” freshman Laura Nightengale said.

Senior Brock Ternes had a similar opinion.

“We had a very nice string of runners that finished very closely together,” Ternes said. “If we can get a strong pack of Jayhawks in front of the Tigers, who also have quite a bit of depth, I think we can come out on top.”

Junior Isaiah Shirlen said he was disappointed with his performance at Bob Timmons Invitational because he didn’t race up to his fitness level.

“I just know what I need to do differently during the race,” he said.

Redshirt freshman Clay Schneider like Shirlen was not happy with his performance, but said he’s learning from his mistakes.

“When I run, I need to think about what I need to do at MU, like not go out as fast, be more patient and pace myself after the first mile,” Schneider said.

Shirlen said the team had the potential to upset MU. “We’ve all gotten to know each other better; we run with each other a lot more,” Shirlen said. “I have a feeling we can challenge Mizzou.”

Some of the older runners on the team are aware of the talent that the Tigers have.

“They have a really good team,” senior Levi Huseman said. “I know they sent one guy to Nationals last year and he placed well.”

That runner was junior Dan Hedgecock who placed 125th at the NCAA Cross Country Championship last November.

Junior Lauren Bonds believes that both teams have similar talents.

“Our number two and three girls are about the same as their number two and three girls,” Bonds said. “It’s going to be a really good team for us to race.”

Bonds said that at last year’s Big 12 Championship, the Tigers finished one place ahead of the Jayhawks.

Junior Bret Imgrund said he’s looking forward to the race and also for the new guys to contribute.

“We got two more guys in jerseys, Zarda and Austin, so we’re looking forward to have them contribute,” Imgrund said.

Imgrund is also looking forward to working, growing and bonding as a team as they have their first traveling meet.

The two freshmen Imgrund mentioned were Zach Zarda and Austin Bussing. Both will be running for KU this Saturday.

“It’s been a dream of mine to be a KU athlete; I’m ready for it,” Zarda said.

Bussing is also excited to race for the Jayhawks, but said he also feels a bit of added pressure.

“This time wearing the Kansas jersey and everything there’s a definite added element,” Bussing said. “I feel like I have to perform for my team.”

Although Bussing said he was nervous, he’s looking forward to competing against their MU rivals.

The Men’s 8K race start at 10 a.m., while the women’s 5K race starts at 10:40 a.m.

— — Edited by Ramsey Cox