Kindler upbeat about 2006 Cross Country Teams
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Third year coach Zach Kindler has built up the numbers on his cross country teams this season, and hopes the added firepower, along with some very talented returners, will make the Coyotes one of the top teams in the Kansas Conference.

MEN’S OUTLOOK

Kindler was able to pick up some very talented local high school runners to help the returnees continue to build and become a successful team.  Kindler expects junior Gabe Russell to be the top runner, and right behind him two freshmen, Mark Winkel (Salina South) and Tyler Jensen (Ellsworth).

“Gabe has improved each year and should be able to compete close to the top this year in our conference,” Kindler said. “Mark was a three time state qualifier in high school and posted a personal best of 17:13 in the 5K. Tyler qualified for state two years in a row, placing fifth as a senior and posted a personal best of 17:02 for the 5K.”

Kindler also feels that despite having a young team, they should come together and are capable of placing well at the KCAC Conference Meet, held this year at Sterling.

“We will have a young team and look to improve every meet,” Kindler said. “I feel by the end of the year we should be capable of placing in the top five at the conference meet.”

Kindler feels the top team in the men’s conference will be Southwestern but next four spots are up for grabs, and the Coyotes are capable of one of those places.   

 

WOMEN’S OUTLOOK

The women’s side looks to be very strong with some very talented runners returning and a group of exceptional recruits coming in to compile one of KWU largest women’s cross-country teams in history. 

Kindler feels the women’s team will be anchored by senior Nicole Heptig. Heptig was the KCAC Conference Champion in 2004 and has the 7th all-time 5K mark in KWU history. 

Kindler also noted a group of top newcomers which will help the Coyotes.

“Our top newcomers consist of some local junior college talent and three star runners from California.” Kindler said.

Jolene Mick, an Osborne High graduate and Cloud County standout will lead the Coyotes this year. While at Cloud County, she was able to win five individual National Championships in cross-country and track. “Jolene is going to be a huge factor in our team’s success this year and hope that she can continue her national success here at Kansas Wesleyan,” Kindler said.

Other contributors include Nicole Nicastro (Lakeside, Calif. / Cuyamaca CC), and her college teammate Yeleny Torres (El Cajon, Calif.). “Nicole and Yeleny were two top runners for their college who won the conference championship in cross country for the last two years,” Kindler said.

Sarah Williams (Lucerne Valley, Calif. / Victor Valley College) will be another factor for the Coyotes this year.  She was the number one runner last year for her team at Victor Valley Community College.

With the incoming girls and the returnees, Kindler feels the women have a chance at getting back on top again with a conference championship and hopefully get the team qualified for nationals. 

“Our conference is going to be very competitive this year on the ladies side between KWU, Southwestern, and Sterling,” he said. “But I feel very confident about the group of ladies that we have and look for a big year.”