Redwine expects KU men to shine

Kansas University’s men’s cross country team seeks to send the entire squad, not just defending Big 12 champion Benson Chesang, to the NCAA championships this year.

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t,” KU coach Stanley Redwine said. “If other schools can do it, we can do it.”

He’s enthused about the prospects of a team that returns Chesang, who placed seventh at NCAAs last season, as well as the talented sophomore duo of Colby Wissel and Paul Hefferon.

“Benson is a quiet leader,” Redwine said of the All-American, KU’s first league champion since John Lawson in 1965. “He will not be very vocal. When it comes time to have success, he’ll put it out there for the team.

“He’s a good athlete with a huge heart to compete.”

Wissel, an Elm Creek, Neb., native, finished last season as KU’s No. 2 runner at both the Big 12 meet and NCAA regionals. Hefferon, who hails from Overland Park, won a silver medal in the 5,000 at this summer’s Junior Pan Am Games in Windsor, Ontario.

Seniors Matt French, Joshy Madathil and Cameron Schwehr each competed at the Big 12 meet a year ago and are joined by senior Mike Putzke. Juniors Tyler Kelly and Erik Sloan also are back.

“We have depth this year. We are strong enough if one of our top five fall off one of the others can step up,” said Redwine, whose men’s and women’s squads will open at the Bob Timmons Invitational at 9 a.m. today at Rim Rock Farm.

The women’s team returns seniors Angela Pichardo and Christine Lathrop. Pichardo, a native of Hollywood, Fla., placed 90th at the NCAA Regional last year. Lathrop of Overland Park earned 83rd at the Big 12 meet.

Ottawa sophomore Lisa Morrisey, who placed 72nd at the Midwest Regionals, is back along with classmates Connie Abbott, Hayley Harbert, Alicia McGregor and Melissa O’Rourke. Juniors Laura Major, Melissa Moody and Dena Seibel also are on hand vying for the top seven.

“We lost some key experience and toughness,” Redwine said. “We have people who can step up and are ready for the challenge.

“The Bob Timmons Invitational always has been a good starting point,” Redwine added “We have not been doing a lot of interval type training to be at our best. We expect great competition from Oral Roberts and Kansas State.”