photo by: Photo courtesy of Kansas Athletics

Several KU cross country athletes stay run in a pack at the 2020 Rim Rock Classic.

Building depth throughout a roster without a single senior will be a key part of the 2021 Kansas cross country season for both the men and the women.

Two weeks removed from the season-opening Bob Timmons Classic, KU coach Michael Whittlesey emphasized that while both teams have quality returners at the top of their lineups, the team’s success this season may depend on how hard their teammates can push them.

“With the women, we need to stay healthy and close our depth at our 5-7 spots,” Whittlesey said. “(With the men), we should have good depth this year but need to build the depth to run with our front runners.”

Whittlesey said the men’s side of the roster features an experienced group that knows what to expect. Now it’s about seeing how many of them are ready for bigger roles.

The KU men finished fifth at the Big 12 championships last season, but lost their top runner — Ben Butler, who earned all-Big 12 honors at a spot at nationals — to graduation.

Sophomore Chandler Gibbens, who finished 21st at the Big 12 meet in 2020, appears to be on track to inherit Butler’s role as the top male challenger each week.

“He has been running as one of our top three runners throughout his career,” Whittlesey said. “He now moves into the role as our team leader and has put in a great summer to take on that role. A great competitor with great range on the track and a proven competitor on the cross country course, he has proven he can run with the front pack in any race and looks to have a great year.”

Experienced returners Teddy Buckley, Jake Ralston and John Luder are expected to team with Gibbens at the front of the pack for the KU men. Jack Young and freshman A.J. Green also could be weekly factors for the men’s team.

On the women’s side, top returners Lona Latema, Avryl Johnson, Ally Ryan and top transfer Summer Herner are expected to lead the young Jayhawks.

Latema earned all-Big 12 honors last season with a 14th-place finish at the Big 12 meet. Johnson placed 33rd at the same meet and was KU’s top finisher in the two meets prior to that one at the end of the 2020 season.

“(Latema) has built every season and has proven that she can race with the top runners in the conference,” Whittlesey said of the sophomore from Kenya. “(Johnson) has shown great maturation as a runner and is in a position to perform well in every race this season.”

2021 KU Cross Country Schedule

Sept. 4 – Bob Timmons Classic (home)

Sept. 24-25 – Rim Rock Farm Classic (home)

Oct. 1 – Gans Creek Classic (Columbia, Mo.)

Oct. 15 – Pre-National Invitational (Tallahassee, Fla.)

Oct. 29 – Big 12 Championship (Stillwater, Okla.)

Nov. 12 – NCAA Midwest Regional (Iowa City, Iowa)

Nov. 20 – NCAA Championship (Tallahassee, Fla.)