ESU Men Ready for Cross Country Championships

By David Boyce

Sophomore Adam McGovern has emerged as one of the top runners at Emporia State, and that only enhances the Hornets' shot at finishing in the upper half of the MIAA cross country meet on Saturday.

The other thing working for Emporia State is the meet is in Emporia.

"I think it helps a lot," McGovern said. "I'm glad I get to sleep in my own bed and keep the same routine. That is a big advantage when it comes to a 5-mile race."

McGovern, a graduate of Lee's Summit West, has been feeling very comfortable running in recent weeks. Twice in the last three weeks he has been selected MIAA men's cross country runner of the week.

And that means lately he has finished ahead of Emporia State senior Skyler Delmott. Delmott, a native of Emporia, has been the Hornets' top runner for most of his four years at Emporia State.

"Skyler has helped a lot," McGovern said. "One, he is a consistent runner. He's always a hard runner.

"It is good to have that push when you are hurting," McGovern said. "He's a real competitive guy. We compete against each other, but we are still good friends."

Emporia State coach David Harris is counting on the competition between teammates will only make his team stronger for the conference meet.

"Skyler has been running well," Harris said." He's not our No. 1 runner now. His confidence needs to come back to that. Hopefully, Adam, Skyler and Will Hohmeier will all be up there battling.

"I think it helps all three of them. Skyler has been our No. 1 runner for three years. Until recently, he has never lost a race to another teammate. The last two meets he's had a teammate ahead of him. We are not out to beat teammates. We are trying to get the best race out of each runner."

Harris knows he will need the very best from all his runners if the Hornets have any chance of winning the team title.

Led by Michael Pierce, Southwest Baptist has to be considered one of the favorites. The Bearcats are the defending champion.

Harris said Central Missouri is the highest ranked team in the field.

"I think any number of teams can win," Harris said. "Southwest Baptist is one of those schools that will be right in there. If you tried to predict this race, which the coaches always try to do before the season starts, it would be very difficult now knowing what we know about the teams.

"Missouri Southern has a tradition to be ready for this meet. Pittsburg I haven't seen, but I know they are very good. You have to be really right that day."

Southwest Baptist coach Corey McElhaney said a goal for his team is to repeat as conference champions.

"I think our chances are good," McElhaney said. "I think our team has gotten stronger. But at the same time our conference has gotten that much stronger, also.

"I think there will be four or five teams fighting for that No. 1 spot. I've been talking to some of the coaches and they are saying this is as strong as they have ever seen it. It's a pretty prestigious year."

And that's why McGovern will feel really good about his accomplishment if he does well in the conference meet.

A year ago he finished 33^rd.

"He was very upset with himself after the race," Harris said. "He put a lot of emphasis on this race and the coaches did too.

"He's a totally different runner. He's ready to run. He is focused. He's put in the work both in the summer and the fall. I know he feels he should be All-MIAA. If you can go from 33^rd to top 15, it is a great achievement."

McGovern said he has run fairly well this season

"I'm proud of how I'm running," McGovern said. "I'm proud how the team is running. Our training has been really strong this year. We should do well.

"We want to compete with the top four in conference. This has probably been the strongest conference since I've been here."

To reach David Boyce, contributing writer for the MIAA, send e-mail to dboyce@themiaa.com