2008 Woodie Awards
Attitude change working for cross country
Jamie Arthur/Collegio Sports Reporter
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: Sports
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Before the 2007 season even started, head coach Russ Jewett knew that it would be a decisive one for the Pittsburg State men's cross country team.
After fighting to stay out of the bottom half of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association the past two seasons, Jewett knew that the Gorillas needed to make significant strides.
"We were next to last each of the last two years and the year before that we were kind of in the middle," Jewett said. "It's really difficult, mentally, to get a team turned around from where you're fighting to stay out of last place to where you're fighting for a championship. I think we turned that corner this year."
Proof of that change came at the MIAA championships on Saturday, Oct. 20, in Kirksville, Mo., when the PSU men's squad finished third with 68 points. Missouri Southern captured the conference title with a low score of 40 points, followed by Southwest Baptist with 58.
The coach credits the team's success to a shift in attitude and good leadership from runners like sophomore Tim Testa and senior David Cox. But Jewett is also aware of the difference that a year of experience can make.
Last year the Gorillas were relatively young, with 18 of its 21 members still in their first two years of eligibility.
"It's hard for freshmen to compete at the conference, regional or national level in college because it's so early in their freshman year," Jewett said. "But it doesn't just happen because you're a year older either, it's a combination of experience and attitude."
Sophomores MJ Hassaballa and Testa both earned All-MIAA honors with top-10 finishes. Hassaballa led the team, completing the 8-kilometer course in 26 minutes, 31.89 seconds. Testa was eighth in 25:40.45.
The Gorillas also placed four more runners within the 25 top spots. Cox and sophomore Mason Stout finished 17th and 18th, respectively, while sophomore Josh Coberly and junior Matt Seifert placed 20th and 21st, also respectively.
As for the women's team, experience wasn't a problem. With only three freshmen, the Gorillas were led by a group of seven upperclassmen who returned from last year's squad that fell just short of an MIAA title.
After fighting to stay out of the bottom half of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association the past two seasons, Jewett knew that the Gorillas needed to make significant strides.
"We were next to last each of the last two years and the year before that we were kind of in the middle," Jewett said. "It's really difficult, mentally, to get a team turned around from where you're fighting to stay out of last place to where you're fighting for a championship. I think we turned that corner this year."
Proof of that change came at the MIAA championships on Saturday, Oct. 20, in Kirksville, Mo., when the PSU men's squad finished third with 68 points. Missouri Southern captured the conference title with a low score of 40 points, followed by Southwest Baptist with 58.
The coach credits the team's success to a shift in attitude and good leadership from runners like sophomore Tim Testa and senior David Cox. But Jewett is also aware of the difference that a year of experience can make.
Last year the Gorillas were relatively young, with 18 of its 21 members still in their first two years of eligibility.
"It's hard for freshmen to compete at the conference, regional or national level in college because it's so early in their freshman year," Jewett said. "But it doesn't just happen because you're a year older either, it's a combination of experience and attitude."
Sophomores MJ Hassaballa and Testa both earned All-MIAA honors with top-10 finishes. Hassaballa led the team, completing the 8-kilometer course in 26 minutes, 31.89 seconds. Testa was eighth in 25:40.45.
The Gorillas also placed four more runners within the 25 top spots. Cox and sophomore Mason Stout finished 17th and 18th, respectively, while sophomore Josh Coberly and junior Matt Seifert placed 20th and 21st, also respectively.
As for the women's team, experience wasn't a problem. With only three freshmen, the Gorillas were led by a group of seven upperclassmen who returned from last year's squad that fell just short of an MIAA title.
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