Wissel Named Big 12 Runner of the Week

Sept. 13, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas men’s cross country runner Colby Wissel was named Big 12 Runner of the Week Sept. 13 for his performance at last week’s Kansas State Wildcat Invitational, the Big 12 Conference announced Wednesday. The Elm Creek, Neb., native is just the third Jayhawk in Big 12 history to be earn conference runner of the week honors.

At the dual meet with Kansas State, Wissel repeated as the event’s champion, running the 5k race in a blistering sub-15 minute performance. Shaving nearly 15 seconds off his performance in 2005, Wissel finished the course at Warner Park in Manhattan, Kan., in 14:57.2. The win marked the third-career for Wissel, as he helped Kansas defeat Kansas State, 25-30.

“I am extremely pleased for Colby. He ran hard to win the meet last week and I can’t think of a more deserving person,” Head Coach Stanley Redwine said. “I think this recognition shows that hard work truly pays off.”

At the team’s first meet of the season, the Bob Timmons Invitational, Wissel placed second, finishing 24 hundredths of a second behind teammate Paul Hefferon. Kansas also won that meet, scoring 26 points and defeating the next closest squad by over 40 points.

A 2005 All-Big 12 First Team runner, Wissel joins senior Benson Chesang, a three-time winner, and Brian Jensen, Sept. 30, 1998, as Jayhawks who have received conference recognition for their performances. Wissel and the cross country team return to the course Sept. 23 to compete in the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn. Stay tuned to kuathletics.com for all the results.