Panther sophomore Kathryn Cichon, junior Kylie Haacke and senior Alex Gomez talked about their training over the summer, how they feel about their first meet of the season, how they are adjusting after losing some of their top runners and what race they are looking forward to the most.
Eastern’s first meet is the EIU Walt Crawford Open on the Tom Woodall Panther Trail. This meet is set for Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Q: How did you train over the summer?
A: “Sometimes, without the team members and stuff, it gets a little hard alone, but it was pretty good. It’s nice to have a set schedule, and I feel like it went well.”
-Kathryn Cichon
A: “Summer training went really well, and I think that feeds off of the outdoor track season. This last spring, I had the best season of my life. Running times and doing things I never would have dreamed of doing like getting 3rd in the 10k. I think that momentum just carried over into the summer and I’m hoping it continues to carry over into the fall season.”
-Kylie Haacke
A: “My summer training was so much fun, and I always love getting in all those miles both alone and with teammates. That is nothing new; as this summer I put in a lot of work with some 60 mile weeks that I am excited to see how that foundation takes me in my progression through the season. Summer training is the most critical part of cross country, and it is always good to get through it healthy.”
-Alex Gomez
Q: How are you feeling about the Walt Crawford Open on Friday?
A: “I feel pretty good about it. The team is excited, and I think everyone is pretty ready for it. It should be a fun race.”
-Cichon
A: “I’m super excited about Friday. I think we will have a good showing. It will be fun to race with other teams and seeing how we stack up against other teams. I was hurt at this time last fall so I’m ready.”
-Haacke
A: “I’m excited for Friday. It will be a good starting point and chance to see where we all are and where we can go with the level of fitness we have. We have seen it a little bit in workouts, and we are feeling confident in the team we have.”
-Gomez
Q: Do you feel any added pressure with some of your top runners graduating last year?
A: “I’m not really sure. I’d say that’s definitely a point and those people will be missed, but I think that there’s a lot of newcomers that have added a lot of good energy to the team. I think that there might still be a few spots that we have to kind of figure out and work with, but I think overall, we should be keeping our heads up and looking forward because I don’t think there’s anything to be too concerned about.”
-Cichon
A: “I don’t think I feel any added pressure. I know I have to step up, but so does everyone else on the team. As good as we were last year, I would argue that we are just as good this year. Everyone has stepped up and filled the roles of the girls that graduated. Our freshmen this year are great too and I think they will step up to the plate.”
-Haacke
A: “I would say no only because we have an amazing group of new runners that have shown they can step up. Of course, we miss our graduated runners; they were amazing, but I know we can do just as well this season.”
-Gomez
Q: What meet are you looking forward to the most?
A: “If I had to say just one, probably Walt Crawford because it’s probably one of the flatter courses that we run on and there’s usually a big turnout.”
-Cichon
A: “I think I’m most looking forward to conference for sure. I don’t think there is any reason why we shouldn’t be in the running for another conference championship, but I’m also excited for Bradley because that’s the last really good little tune up before conference, and it’s a 6k so it gives us a good luck at where we are at”
– Haacke
A: “I have had such a good time at Louisville in the past and I would say that has always been my favorite. However, this season I am looking forward to Bradley because it’s always a good opportunity, and I always have a good support group with friends and family.”
– Gomez
Zaria Flippin can be reached at 581-2812 or zhflippin@eiu.edu.
