Kansas Cross Country Sweeps Bob Timmons Classic

Sept. 1, 2012

Men’s Results
Women’s Results
 

Bob Timmons Classic
Rim Rock Farm // Lawrence, Kan.

Men’s Team Finishes
Team Points Avg/Time
1. Kansas 16 20:04.0
2. UMKC 48 20:48.3
3. Oral Roberts 84 22:37.8
4. Highland CC 96 23:01.0
Kansas Men’s Top 7 Finishers (41 Total)
Name Year Time
1. Josh Baden SR 19:49.0
2. Reid Buchanan SO 19:49.3
3. James Wilson SO 19:49.5
4. Gabe Gonzalez FR 19:49.5
6. Kaman Schneider SR 20:10.1
7. Javier Segura JR 20:17.0
9. Colin Jokisch SR 20:44.6
Women’s Team Finishes
Team Points Avg/Time
1. Kansas 17 19:21.2
2. Oral Roberts 62 24:44.7
3. UMKC* 20:48.7
*-No score given due to only four runners
Kansas Women’s Top 7 Finishers (26 Total)
Name Year Time
1. Kyra Kilwein SR 18:56.0
2. Hannah Richardson FR 19:07.7
3. Sara Seiwald FR 19:16.7
5. Hayley Francis FR 19:27.6
6. Liza Tauscher SO 19:40.2
7. Kathleen Thompson SR 19:48.2
8. Tessa Turcotte SR 19:56.4

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas cross country teams swept the 2012 Bob Timmons Classic at a rain-soaked Rim Rock Farm Saturday morning. KU senior Josh Baden claimed the individual victory in the men’s race while Lawrence native Kyra Kilwein led the women’s team with her second-career meet win.

“It was a great job and a great effort today (by both teams),” said head coach Stanley Redwine. “I thought most of them ran well in a pack together and it was great that they finished the way they did. The athletes have been working hard and I’m glad that showed today.”

The men’s team dominated the 6K race, finishing in the top-four overall spots and placing seven of its runners in the top 10. The Jayhawks amassed 16 points to earn its 10th-straight team title at the opening season meet. Baden’s victory marked the first of his career, as the Colby, Kan., native finished in a time of 19:49.0.

“It was really cool because we worked really well together as a team,” said Baden following the race. “I guess because I am the senior they let me go for (the win). It’s awesome having teammates that would do that for me.”

The men’s pack remained tight from start to finish with the next three Jayhawk finishers less than a second behind the winner, Baden. Sophomore Reid Buchanan took second at 19:49.3, redshirt sophomore James Wilson traversed the 6K course in 19:49.5 to place third and redshirt freshman Gabe Gonzalez claimed fourth in 19:49.5.

“(The men) really ran controlled today,” said fourth-year assistant coach Michael Whittlesey. “That was our goal: to run together and keep control of this race. I’m really proud of them with the way they ran, especially the way they ran at the end.”

Rounding out the men’s top seven were senior Kaman Schneider who took sixth (20:10.1), junior Javier Segura who finished seventh (20:17) and senior Colin Jokisch who claimed ninth (20:44.6).

The race marked the second-straight year a KU runner won the Bob Timmons Classic title and the fifth time in the last 10 years.

The women’s team scored 17 points in the 5K race, toping second-place Oral Roberts and third-place UMKC. Like the men, the KU women were the front runners throughout the race and ended with its first seven finishers placing in the top eight overall.

Kilwein, a product of Lawrence Free State High School, earned her second-collegiate victory, finishing the 5K race in 18:56.0. The senior also won the 2010 Bob Timmons Classic at Rim Rock Farm.

“It really helps,” explained Kilwein of her knowledge of the Jayhawks’ home course. “Rim Rock is my baby. I have been running here since (high school) and I’ve run this course so many times. (Winning the race) feels good and really helps bring up my confidence. I think this KU team is going to have a really great year.”

Kilwein was followed by freshman Hannah Richardson who gave an impressive debut performance in the Crimson and Blue. The Kirkwood, Mo., native finished second overall and crossed the finish line in 19:07.7. Redshirt freshman Sara Seiwald was not far behind, finishing third in 19:16.7, while redshirt freshman Hayley Francis (19:27.6) and sophomore Liza Tauscher (19:40.2) claimed fifth and sixth, respectively.

“Really (runners) one through seven we are all right there,” said Whittlesey. “We can literally run as a pack of seven. The pack really isn’t that far apart and that’s what we really need to focus on the next eight to 10 weeks, getting that pack closer and closer together up top.”

UP NEXT
The Jayhawks will return to action on Sept. 29 for their second home meet of the year, the Rim Rock Classic. The starting gun will kick off the men’s 8K race at 9 a.m., while the women will begin their 6K loop at 10 a.m.

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