The upcoming cross-country season for the University of Kansas is shaping up to be an exciting one, with a strong core of returning runners on both the men’s and women’s teams. Despite only a handful of seniors departing, the Jayhawks are well-positioned to build on their successes from last season.
Leading the way for the Jayhawks are seniors Peter Walsdorf and Kenadi Krueger, who were both standout performers in the Big 12 Championship and NCAA Regional Championship. With eight of the top 10 men’s runners and seven of the top 10 women’s runners returning, KU’s teams have a solid foundation to work with.
The roster for this year’s team includes 22 men and 23 women, with a mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen. The women’s team boasts six freshmen and eight sophomores, while the men’s team features six freshmen, six sophomores, eight juniors, one senior, and one graduate student. This blend of experience and youth bodes well for the Jayhawks as they look to make their mark in the upcoming season.
Last season, the 2023 cross-country campaign saw KU finish sixth in the conference for both the men’s and women’s teams. The Jayhawks also had a ninth-place finish for the men in the NCAA Regional Championships and a 12th-place finish for the women. Despite these solid performances, KU will be looking to improve upon their results and make a strong push for success in the upcoming season.
In the Big 12 Championships last year, Oklahoma State and BYU were the dominant forces, with the Cowboys winning the men’s 8,000-meter run and the Cougars taking the women’s 6,000-meter run. Both schools put on impressive performances, with Oklahoma State’s top five runners all finishing inside the top 10 in the men’s race. While Oklahoma State will be without some key seniors this season, they still have standout runners like Brian Musau returning to lead the charge.
Local ties are also strong within the KU cross-country program, with incoming freshmen Ryan Whittlesey and Blake Wohler hailing from Lawrence’s Free State High School. Whittlesey and Wohler bring local talent and familiarity to the team, with Whittlesey joining his sister Samantha, a junior on the team, and their father, assistant coach Michael Whittlesey. Additionally, Eudora’s Sydney Owens, who recently won the 4A state championship, adds another local standout to the mix.
As the University of Kansas gears up for the upcoming cross-country season, fans can expect an exciting and competitive campaign from both the men’s and women’s teams. With a strong core of returning runners, promising newcomers, and a focus on improvement and success, the Jayhawks are poised to make their mark in the world of collegiate cross-country.
