2008 Woodie Awards
'Staying close' key for women; Kime looks to become All-American
By: Rahul Gupta
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Members of the DePauw cross country team will be competing Saturday at the NCAA Div. III championships at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.
The No. 13 women's team earned its fourth straight trip to nationals as a team, after a third-place finish at Saturday's Great Lakes Regional.
"Being a senior, it has been an incredible four years," said Taylor Penrod. "To have been a part of the first national team back in 2004 and to now realize how far we have come since then is an amazing feeling."
Penrod is confident that the Tigers can continue doing what they have been doing all season to cap the season off strong.
"We have had a small gap between our one through five runners, and if we can maintain that under the pressure and the excitement of nationals, we will come out very well," Penrod said.
Sophomore Lauren Reich talked about another important aspect: focus.
"It's the main key to suceess," Reich said. "It's too late in the season for any workout or long run to get you to that next level. It is completely up to your own willpower and heart to get you to the finish line."
Reich said she knows this team has come a long way and expects it to be up to the task this weekend.
"Our goal is to run as close together as we can the whole race," Reich said. "It's time for our team to step up and say that we are here to race."
For the men, senior Dusty Kime earned an individual spot after he finished in ninth place last weekend at the Great Lakes Regional. He was at nationals his freshman year and has come close his sophomore and junior seasons.
"It feels great," Kime said. "The team and I have been so close the past two years, and even though the team didn't make it this year, I am super excited to be here and represent them."
Kime will look to become an All-American, which means he will have to place in the top 35.
"That will be a great way to end my career," He said, "and I hope to be able to get that distinction."
With it being a national competition, Kime knows he will have a harder time gaining spots during the race.
"Usually after the first mile or so, it begins to thin out," Kime said. "This weekend, everyone is good, and it will be hard to move up after the beginning where I like to stay conservative."
Several of Kime's teammates and family members will be making the trip to Minnesota this weekend.
"It is great to see the support I am getting and how far people will go," Kime said.
The No. 13 women's team earned its fourth straight trip to nationals as a team, after a third-place finish at Saturday's Great Lakes Regional.
"Being a senior, it has been an incredible four years," said Taylor Penrod. "To have been a part of the first national team back in 2004 and to now realize how far we have come since then is an amazing feeling."
Penrod is confident that the Tigers can continue doing what they have been doing all season to cap the season off strong.
"We have had a small gap between our one through five runners, and if we can maintain that under the pressure and the excitement of nationals, we will come out very well," Penrod said.
Sophomore Lauren Reich talked about another important aspect: focus.
"It's the main key to suceess," Reich said. "It's too late in the season for any workout or long run to get you to that next level. It is completely up to your own willpower and heart to get you to the finish line."
Reich said she knows this team has come a long way and expects it to be up to the task this weekend.
"Our goal is to run as close together as we can the whole race," Reich said. "It's time for our team to step up and say that we are here to race."
For the men, senior Dusty Kime earned an individual spot after he finished in ninth place last weekend at the Great Lakes Regional. He was at nationals his freshman year and has come close his sophomore and junior seasons.
"It feels great," Kime said. "The team and I have been so close the past two years, and even though the team didn't make it this year, I am super excited to be here and represent them."
Kime will look to become an All-American, which means he will have to place in the top 35.
"That will be a great way to end my career," He said, "and I hope to be able to get that distinction."
With it being a national competition, Kime knows he will have a harder time gaining spots during the race.
"Usually after the first mile or so, it begins to thin out," Kime said. "This weekend, everyone is good, and it will be hard to move up after the beginning where I like to stay conservative."
Several of Kime's teammates and family members will be making the trip to Minnesota this weekend.
"It is great to see the support I am getting and how far people will go," Kime said.
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