The men’s and women’s cross country teams began a new season this past weekend with a new coach, some new runners, and a new focus at the North Central College XC Invitational in Naperville, Ill.
In his first year coaching for the Bears, Jeff Stiles, a 1999 North Central alum, returned to familiar ground to lead the WU women to a runner-up finish and the men to a fifth-place finish.
Stiles offered a new race strategy to his runners before the race, and apparently it worked.
“We really wanted to go out conservatively, slowly at the beginning, then work our way into it and accelerate throughout the race,” said senior Brian Shapiro. “We did an excellent job of that this weekend and that will continue to be our plan for the rest of the season”
Individually, the women claimed second and third, with sophomores Mindy Kuhl and Emily Lahowetz running 18:32 and 18:37 respectively. Race winner, Mary Farrell of Saint Xavier, finished in 18:27 after taking a wrong turn and an accidental shortcut to the finish. Kuhl and Lahowez, intent on chasing Farrell down, challenged her to the finish.
“On the first mile there were about eight of us that were definitely ahead, but at some point we broke away even more,” said Kuhl. “On each hill, in the back, around mile two, I was gaining on [Ferrell]. And Emily was pretty much at my back the entire way. Normally, we’re really good about encouraging each other, but this time I wasn’t sure if it was her.”
Nearing the final stretch, the leader missed a turn for a short loop of the girls course, and continued on the men’s course instead. Kuhl thought Ferrell had made a mistake, however.
“When you’re racing someone you’re not going to take a longer way,” said Kuhl. “The only thing going through my head was this might be wrong, but I want to catch her; I want to beat her.”
Sophomore Melanie Mikecz, senior Kathy Busch, freshman Lauren Grabski, and junior Hannah Moore followed the pack to finish 16th in 20:34, 29th in 20:55, 31st in 20:57, and 33rd in 21:01, respectively.
The first five runners who finished for WU averaged 19:55 min. to Wheaton’s 20:22 min. for the 5K course. However, Wheaton’s fifth runner placed 21st, while WU’s fifth took 29th. With places determining points, the women’s 81 point score put them behind Wheaton College with 62, but ahead of a University Athletic Association rival, University of Chicago, and the rest of the 16-team field.
A non-collegiate runner, Jack Kafel, paced the men’s 5 mi. race by clocking at 26:25, and his team of North Central Alums won with merely 22 points. North Central College scored 56 points, University of Chicago 101, and Elmhurst College 132. WU tallied 141 points.
“We have a large number of guys working together for one common purpose, and that’s a good key to success,” said Shapiro.
The strength and leadership of the men’s sophomore and senior classes showed as they composed the team’s first ten finishes. Sophomore Matt Hoelle placed 33rd in 28:20, and classmate Nate Tower placed 60th in 29:10. Darius Viet and Steve Lloyd, also sophomores, finished 9th and 10th for the Bears as well.
Seniors Travis Deutman, Pat MacDonald, Jeremy and Justin Mikecz, Brian Tilton, and Matt House placed 18th in 27:52, 26th in 28:24, 41st in 28:39, 46th in 28:49, 53rd 28:59, and 66th in 29:16, respectively.
“We have a large number of guys who have stuck with the program over the years, and that’s really a testament to the dedication and tightness of our upperclassmen,” said Shapiro. “We’re experienced, know what our goals are, and know the best ways to accomplish those.”
“Our whole focus this year is geared towards Nationals,” said Shapiro. “That’s something that we’ve wanted desperately and never been able to do.”
“I think Coach Jeff is doing great,” Kuhl said. “I liked Coach Schilling a lot, but the changes we’ve had have been really good for the whole team. I could tell during the race that our hill workouts and tempo runs are really working. And everyone has a new attitude.”

Contact Renee at [email protected]

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