Kansas Cross Country Places in Top 20 at ISU Pre-Nationals
Oct. 17, 2009
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
Kansas cross country was faced with its largest and most competitive field of the season at the ISU Pre-Nationals Invitational, but the men’s and women’s teams managed to finish in the top half of their respective races on Saturday, Oct. 17 in Terre Haute, Ind. The men finished 17th in a field of 34 teams, four of which are ranked in the top 10 nationally, while the women placed 18th in field of 37, also with four the nation’s top 10 squads.
ISU Pre-Nationals is divided into three categories for both men and women. The KU men competed in the Blue race, which had 238 individual runners and the women were placed in the white race with 247 individual competitors.
Not only did the men’s team see a vast improvement from its finish at last year’s pre-nationals meet, but five individuals placed at least 80 spots ahead of where they did in 2008 and three Jayhawks set career-best times.
“The men had a really nice race,” said Assistant Coach Michael Whittlesey. “Our main focus was getting out fast and running with confidence and I thought we did a good job of executing that. There were a couple gaps between our two and three spots, but the team was able to finish strong.”
For the fourth consecutive race, sophomore Donny Wasinger paced the men, as he finished 42nd overall with a career-best 8K time of 24:38.10. Wasinger has set a new PR in each of his last three meets. Senior Bret Imgrund also ran a career-best time, finishing the 8K course in 24:46.60 to take 59th place.
Kaleb Humphreys was the Jayhawks’ No. 3 finisher, as he crossed the finish line in 25:06.10, which marked a career-best time for the sophomore. Austin Bussing ran a 25:30 to finish in 123rd place overall, while Nick Caprario rounded out the scoring with a 128th-place finish and an 8K time of 25:31.90.
Junior Dan Van Orsdel and sophomore Josh Baden also competed in Terre Haute, finishing 135th and 169th, respectively. Van Orsdel ran a 25:34.60, while Baden clocked in at 25:59.30.
The women’s team had similar results, as it finished 18th, which was five spots ahead of where it placed last year and had three individuals set career-best times.
Senior Lauren Bonds had a strong race, as she beat 230 other runners to take 17th place overall and set a career-best 6K time of 21:03.70.
Junior Amanda Miller and sophomore Rebeka Stowe finished just two seconds apart to take 72nd and 77th place, respectively. Miller clocked in at 21:49.60, while Stowe ran a career-best time of 21:51.70.
Senior Kellie Schneider stepped up to fill the No. 4 spot for the Jayhawks, as she also ran a career-best 6K time of 22:22 and placed 118th overall. Sophomore Kara Windisch crossed the finish line in 22:48.20 to take 164th place overall.
Freshmen Tessa Turcotte and Kathleen Thompson competed in their first collegiate 6K race. Turcotte posted a time of 23:17.60, while Thompson ran a 23:40.30.
“The women had a decent race overall,” said Whittlesey. “We did not place as high as we would have liked, but individually, Lauren and Kellie had an awesome race, which is really positive because we now know we have a strong person who can fill that fifth spot. Kara was not feeling well today, but if she can get back healthy before the Big 12 Championships, then we will be a tough team to beat.”
ISU Pre-Nationals was the final meet before the Big 12 Championships, which will be held in Columbia, Mo., on Oct. 31.
WOMEN
Team Results (37 teams)
1. Washington 59
2. Florida 89
3. Princeton 126
18. Kansas 448
Top Individual Results
1. Angela Bizzarri, Illinois 20:27.80
2. Kendra Schaaf, Washington 20:29.00
3. Megan Duwell, Minnesota 20:31.50
Kansas Individual Results
17. Lauren Bonds 21:03.70
72. Amanda Miller 21:49.60
77. Rebeka Stowe 21:51.70
118. Kellie Schneider 22:22.00
164. Kara Windisch 22:48.20
196. Tessa Turcotte 23:17.60
216. Kathleen Thompson 23:40.30
MEN
Team Results (34 teams)
1. Oregon 79
2. Alabama 114
3. Northern Arizona 115
17. Kansas 446
Top Individual Results
1. Luke Puskedra, Oregon 23:40.20
2. Andy Baker, Butler 23:45.40
3. Jordan Chipangama, Northern Arizona 23:47.80
Kansas Individual Results
42. Don Wasinger 24:38.10
59. Bret Imgrund 24:46.60
94. Kaleb Humphreys 25:06.10
123. Austin Bussing 25:30.00
128. Nick Caprario 25:31.90
135. Dan Van Orsdel 25:34.60
169. Josh Baden 25:59.30
