Young runners step up for new season
The KU Cross Country coach sees oppurtunities for newer, younger runners.
By Jason Baker (Contact)
Friday, August 22nd, 2008
All-American Colby Wissel is gone. So is Paul Hefferon. But Kansas cross country coach Stanley Redwine spoke nothing but positive remarks at the Jayhawk Olympic Media Day on Wednesday. Despite having a relatively young team, Redwine said that the men’s cross country team was in good shape even after only three practices. The team lost four seniors from last season, including Wissel and Hefferon, but Redwine welcomes 11 new runners to the team.
On the men’s side, this is the first year without All-Americans Paul Hefferon and Colby Wissel. Wissel was the only Jayhawk to make it to the NCAA Championship, placing 39th overall. However, Redwine sees opportunities for the younger runners.
“They know that’s its there turn now to step up.” Redwine said of the returning guys on the team. One of the guys who will be stepping up is Bret Imgrund. The junior from Shawnee, Kan., had strong performances during last year. Imgrund finished third behind Wissel and Hefferon in almost every competition, but had a strong performance finishing second overall behind Wissel at the ISU Pre-Nationals.
Imgrund, who suffered a stress reaction femur injury in the spring, said he was excited about the upcoming season. Imgrund said he was up to full speed and he ran about 70 miles a week during the summer. Imgrund said that he had two goals this season.
“Obviously to do well and keep pushing myself,” Imgrund said. “But the other is to get the team to where it needs to be and bond and grow as a team.”
On the women’s side, the team will be led by Lauren Bonds. The Hutchinson, Kan., junior finished first for the Jayhawks in every meet she competed in last year. Her best performance came at the NCAA Midwest Regional where she finished 25th.
“She’s very competitive and a hard worker, she wants to win.” Redwine said about Bonds. He said he believed that she had the potential to make it to the NCAA Championship this year after her performance at the Midwest Regional.
In addition to Bonds, Redwine said sophomore Amanda Miller could be an infuence. As for the men’s team, Imgrund said sophomore Dan Van Orsdel could contribute as well.
Both teams will compete in their first meet on Aug. 30 at the Bob Timmons Classic at Rim Rock Farm. The Jayhawks’ only home meet of the year has been dominated by Kansas for the past few years.
“It would definitely be a bit of an embarrassment if we don’t win.” Imgrund said.
- Edited by Brieun Scott
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