TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2005 CROSS COUNTRY
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3B
CROSS COUNTRY
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Kansan file photo
Sophomore Colby Wissel, far right, runs with juniors Erik Sloan, middle, and Tyler Kelly during the Bob Timmons Invitational at Rim Rock Farm Sept. 3. Wissel and Sloan finished first and third, respectively, during the Kansas State Wildcat Invitational Sept. 9 to help the men's team tie the Wildcats.
Runner continues winning tradition
Sophomore uses routine, dedication to build on his history of success
BY ANTONIO MENDOZA
amendoza@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
Sophomore runner Colby Wissel trained nearly all year for the cross country season, but it's what he did before coming to the University of Kansas that has helped him succeed.
Wissel came to the University from Kearney High School in Elm Creek, Neb., because this was the place he wanted to be.
Wissel started running cross country during junior high but didn't become serious about it until his sophomore year of high school, after being hurt while playing football his freshman year.
"I took a visit here, and I just really liked the kids on the team." Wissel said. "I thought I could really fit in with them. I also thought this would be a good place for me to come and develop as a student and as an athlete."
Individually, he won the Nebraska state cham-
He owns the state record for the 1600 and 3200-meter run, he and was crowned the Kearney Hub Athlete of the year in 2004.
I took a visit here, and I just really like the kids on the team. I thought I could really fit in with them. I also thought this would be a good place for me to come and develop as a student and as an athlete."
Besides winning state three consecutive years, he also helped his team win the state championship his senior year.
Colby Wissel Sophomore runner
Wissel holds various other records in Nebraska.
This season he has started with two
priorship in cross country his sophomore, junior and senior years of high school.
2004 Last season Wissel finished as the second-best runner on the Kansas cross country team.
He was named the Gatorade track athlete of the year in 2003 and 2004.
he has started with two first place finishes at the Bob Timmons Invitational and the KU/KSU Dual.
Other than being an athlete, Wissel said he was a normal college student. Outside of the practices and races he said that the team hangs out a lot together.
"It's exciting to know that I'm improving and the hard work is starting to pay off," he said.
"Every week we're working hard, and it is kind of nice to just get some relaxation in there," said Wissel.
Though school takes up a lot of time, he said that athletes can't forget why they came to Kansas: to be the best athlete and student they can be.
Wissel also said that it was an honor to run
for Kansas and that he knew what he came here to do.
After having this weekend off, both the men's and the women's cross country teams will be competing in the Roy Griak Invitational, which will be held this Saturday in Minneapolis, Minn.
- Edited by Ty Beaver
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