Muleskinner

Issue date: 9/7/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Stephanie Flippin Team Effort - Jessica Palmer, Yazmin Vallejo and Dani Wagaman prepare for Friday's Central Missouri Mule Run at Keith Memorial.

Central cross country teams are intent on improving on last year's success. The men's team hopes to reclaim the conference title that it fell short of winning a year ago, to make a return to the national meet. The women's team plans to defend its MIAA title and also make a trip to the nationals again this season.

The Mules will be led by Joe Mundt, a senior who placed fifth at last year's MIAA meet, and juniors Dennis Hill and Adam Akers. Hill was a ninth place finisher at last year's MIAA meet, Akers was injured at last year's conference meet.

"These guys will be key," said Kirk Pederson, 2005 MIAA Coach of the year. "They are three potential All-MIAA runners."

Even though the team lost Jarod Wall, MIAA individual champion in 2005 and 2004 All-American, the team is hoping to win the conference title this season.

"One thing that we would like to change about last year, is that we would like to win the conference title," said Hill.

"Losing Jarod Wall is a big blow to our team," Perderson said. "He was one of the best runners in Division II. He is someone who can't be replaced."

This year's team has fewer runners, so it will be important for the team to remain injury-free. Pedersen said the team will also be looking for more younger runners to help this year.

"I think those guys [sophomores] will do a lot for us this year," Hill said.

Not only does this team want to win the conference title, it would also like to end the season with a trip to the NCAA Division II national meet. Pederson said the men's team has qualified for nationals for the past 12 years.

The women's team is coming off a very successful 2005 season, winning the MIAA and South Central region titles.

This year's team will be lead by 2005 MIAA champion Gina Kennison, senior, Danielle Nagel and sophomore Sandy Davidson, who placed ninth at the MIAA meet last season.

Like the men's team, the women's team will look for runners to take the place of those not returning .

"We lost the Hasemeir triplets (Erin, Kirsten and Nicole) from last year. We had good depth with them and they are all gone. Someone is going to have to fill those positions," said Pederson.

The women have won the last two MIAA championships and hope to make it three this year.

"This conference is very balanced; anyone can win it," Pederson said.

Last year's team won by 25 points, which Pederson said, "was a surprise, a good surprise, but still a surprise. Everything just went right."

Both teams start their seasons at the Central Missouri Mule Run, 6 p.m. Friday at Keith Memorial Golf Course.

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