Half of the athletes on the Baker University men’s and women’s cross country team are newcomers to the sport, but because of the support and direction of new head coach Zach Kindler, the team may be the closest it has ever been.
The athletes have endured two practices and eaten lunch together every day since the start of practice Aug. 11. And the practices aren’t easy.
“(Kindler) makes the practices hard but he has faith in us that we can do it,” junior Amber Keith said.
Working hard isn’t new to the team by any means, but being forced to eat lunch with each other is something the upperclassmen haven’t seen.
“The biggest thing is just getting to know the new athletes and having meals together forces them to come together,” Kindler said. “Goals for the team are to come together and run together and improve at conference from last year.”
Throughout this season, Kindler said his main goal is to continue promoting the team aspect.
“We are definitely going to be a close team,” he said.
Some athletes are taking note and understand the importance of working as a team in such an enduring sport as cross country.
“If we work together and run together, we can be a good team,” Keith said.
New to the men’s team are freshmen Chris Schiederman, Wamego; Justin Hill and Nick Wagoner, Shawnee; and junior AJ Jimenez, Douglas, Ariz.
Sophomore Kelsey Heckathorne, who competed last year on the track team, will run in cross country this fall. Incoming freshmen to the women’s team include Chelsea Twietmeyer, Cheney; Linda Rodriguez, Dodge City; and Mary Loveland, Wichita.
“Our freshmen are looking really strong. They are already challenging,” Junior Ari Penner said. “I think the new girls have made us feel like a team because we haven’t had the numbers in the past.”
Not only are the numbers up for the team, but so is the level of competition.
“We are all pushing each other. We’ll all run together as a pack,” Keith said. “Somebody’s always pushing the pace.”
Kindler called for a team retreat and spent Aug. 16-17 at Clinton Lake where the team could bond.
“It was a lot of running and outside activity, but it was fun because we got to know each other’s personalities outside of practice,” Penner said.
Kindler said the team did some trail runs and team building activities, but nothing too difficult.
The athletes will continue to have set practices Monday through Saturday until their first meet Sept. 1 for the Maple Leaf Invitational at the Baldwin City Golf Course. The women leave the line at 10 a.m. and the men start at 10:45 a.m.