Kansas State University Athletics
Friday, October 30
Lawrence, KS
10:00 AM
Kansas State University
vs
Big 12 Championship
Schroeder, Shufelberger Earn All-Big 12 Honors as Wildcats Score Historic Outings at Big 12 Championship
Oct 30, 2020 | Cross Country
LAWRENCE, Kan. – With conference aspirations on the line, the Kansas State cross country teams ran with a sense a purpose at Rim Rock Farm on Friday (October 30), and it paid off, with Top 5 finishes for both teams at the Big 12 Championships. It marked the first time both squads finished among the Top 5 at the conference meet since 1998.
In a year full of uncertainty against a field that included nationally-ranked squads from Oklahoma State (No. 5), Iowa State (No. 10) and Texas (No. 24) in the men's race as well as No. 29 Texas on the women's side, the Wildcats built a ton of momentum in the early stages of each race to ignite one of the most memorable days in K-State Cross Country history.
"This has been one of the most enjoyable seasons I've ever had in coaching," said head coach Ryun Godfrey. "We have such a solid group of kids. They work hard and support one another!"
The Wildcat men matched their best finish in the Big 12 era with a fourth-place finish with 103 points, as all seven runners finished among the Top 35 entrants, including three (Cooper Schroeder, Kerby Depenbusch, Hadley Splechter) in the Top 20. The 103 points was the best total since the Wildcats collected 70 for a second-place finish at the 1992 Big Eight Championships.
A native of Manhattan, Kansas, Schroeder led the trio in the men's Top 20 with a 15th-place finish with a school record 8k time of 23:54.6 to grab the last spot on the men's All-Big 12 team ahead of teammate Depenbusch, who finished just 10 seconds behind in 16th place with a time of 24:04.5.
Schroeder become the first men's runner to earn all-conference honors since Mathew Chesang in 2004. His time broke that of former Wildcat runner Bryan Carroll, who posted an 8k time of 23:56.0 in 1985, as his 15th-place finish was the best by a men's runner since Chesang finished third 16 years ago.
The women's team locked up a fifth-place finish with 134 points – its best finish since a tie for fifth in 2013 – as five runners finished in the Top 40, including a pair in the Top 20 led by sophomore Jaybe Shufelberger's ninth-place finish with a time of 21:22.6. Shufelberger became the first Wildcat women's runner to collected All-Big 12 honors in consecutive seasons since Laura Galvan posted three honors in a row from 2012-14.
"Today was a lot of fun," said Godfrey. "Both teams gave great effort! Jaybe (Shufelberger) had a great race and she put herself with the lead group from the start and ran tough throughout the race. Cooper (Schroeder) missed training time due to a hip injury, so I wasn't sure how this was going to go."
Schroeder and Depenbusch were joined in the Top 20 by Hadley Splechter (19th/24:09.5), while senior Noah Stevenson (26th/24:23.2) and junior Stephen Kielhofner (28th/24:31.4) both finished in the Top 30.
"Noah (Stevenson) did a great job shaking off any doubts he had from his last race," stated Godfrey. "I was really impressed with his commitment to go out with the lead pack. Extremely gutsy race! Hadley (Splechter) kept moving up as the race progressed and he did what we needed him to do. And Stephen (Kielhofner) has been a great addition to our team this season. I thought he also ran well today!"
The men's team was not done making noise in the middle of the pack, as sophomores Jack Thomas (33rd/24:50.9), David Lutgen (38th/25:05.4) and Jack Moore (43rd/25:14.7), and juniors Mike Rohlinger (44th/25:15.8) and Dylan Brennamen (45th/25:31.8) all finished among the Top 50.
"As a team, our goal was top four," said Schroeder. I'm so proud of how our team competed today."
Running without his brother Jackson Schroeder for the first time at the conference championship, Schroeder elaborated on what it meant to race not just for himself, but for his brother as well.
"Jackson was a huge part of where I am today," stated Schroeder. "He's such a good role model that wants the best for me. When I have questions about running or racing, I go to him. Last year, he set the example of 'manning up' and competing with the best of the Big 12. I wish he was out there today, and I know he does too."
Shufelberger's Top 10 finish was the best by a women's runner since Galvan earned a sixth-place finish in 2013. She was joined in the Top 20 by junior Kassidy Johnson (20th/21:51.5), while sophomores Hannah Stewart (32nd/22:20.0) and Sydney Burton (36th/22:29.5), and freshman Emma Lucas (42nd/22:35.0) all fought their way towards top-50 outings.
"Kassidy (Johnson) moved up well during the race," said Godfrey. "Hannah (Stewart) and Sydney (Burton) ran very well. Emma (Lucas) didn't have her best race today, but she has a lot of great races left for her in the future."
After contemplating on how to approach the 6k race, Shufelberger decided to switch things up today in the biggest meet of the year.
"The race didn't go exactly how I hoped it would," said Shufelberger. "It went out pretty fast and I've been trying to go out conservative, but I knew If I wanted to place, I had to scratch that plan and just go with the pack. It was a great to have good competitors – some we've seen and some new ones – to help pull me through the race. I felt like I was battling with at least one other person the whole time, so they really helped me stay engaged.
"Being able to place for the second year in a row and then to take ninth is just amazing," said Shufelberger. "A goal I had was to place in the Top 10, so to be able to accomplish that is great."
All 10 men's runners recorded 8k personal bests, while the women had five individuals collect new personal times (Burton, Lucas, Polus, Steward and Stewart).
The Iowa State women rebounded after slipping up in last year's conference championship, as the Cyclones pulled away with the victory with 39 points. Iowa State's Cailie Logue earned the top spot in the 6k race at a pace of 20:00.5, which now marks the third-consecutive year the Cyclone have won the conference title.
Oklahoma State edged out Iowa State for the crown due to a tiebreaker. Both teams scored 31 points, but the Cowboys edged out the Cyclones due to three of their runners finishing in the top five for the 8k run.
With the NCAA Cross Country Championships moved to the Spring 2021 slate, the Wildcats end their 2020 campaign with top-five finishes for each of the men's and women's teams.
"Kansas State distance is on the rise," Schroeder stated. "I'm going to remember this day for a long time. Go Cats!"
Men's Team Finishes: 1. Oklahoma State, 31 points*; 2. Iowa State, 31 points; 3. Texas, 84 points; 4. K-State, 103 points; 5. Kansas, 136 points; 6. Texas Tech, 187 points; 7. Baylor, 215 points; 8. Oklahoma, 230 points; 9. TCU, 265 points.
Men's Top-Five Individuals: 1. Wesley Kiptoo (ISU), 22:35.4; 2. Isai Rodriguez (OSU), 22:49.3; 3. Festus Lagat (ISU), 23:26.1; 4. Haftu Knight (Texas), 23:27.0; 5. Victor Shitsama (OSU), 23:27.1.
K-State Men's Finishes: 15. Cooper Schroeder, 23:54.6; 16. Kerby Depenbusch, 24:04.5; 19. Hadley Splechter, 24:09.5; 26. Noah Stevenson, 24:23.2; 28. Stephen Kielhofner, 24:31.4; 33. Jack Thomas, 24:50.9; 38. David Lutgen, 25:05.4; 43. Jack Moore, 25:14.7; 44. Mike Rohlinger, 25:15.8; 45. Dylan Brenneman, 25:31.8;
Women's Team Finishes: 1. Iowa State, 39 points; 2. Texas, 62 points; 3. West Virginia, 66 points; 4. Oklahoma State, 71 points; 5. K-State, 134 Points; 6. Baylor, 148 points; 7. Kansas, 190 points; 8. Texas Tech, 238 points; 9. Oklahoma, 257 points; 10. TCU, 312 points.
Women's Top-Five Finishes: 1. Cailie Logue (ISU), 20:00.5; 2. Taylor Roe (OSU), 20:07.8; 3. Gabby Hentemann (OSU), 20:48.4; 4. Ceili McCabe (WVU), 20:55.9; 5. Brenna Cohoon (ISU), 21:11.5.
K-State Women's Finishes: 9. Jaybe Shufelberger, 21:22.6; 20. Kassidy Johnson, 21:51.5; 32. Hannah Stewart, 22:20.0; 36. Sydney Burton, 22:29.5; 42. Emma Lucas; 2235.0; 53. Cailan Steward, 23:19.1; 58. Cara Melgares, 23:32.8; 62. McKenna Polus, 23:38.0; 71. Helen Giefer, 24:04.6; 76. Delaney Kemp, 24:32.6
For the latest on K-State cross country follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
In a year full of uncertainty against a field that included nationally-ranked squads from Oklahoma State (No. 5), Iowa State (No. 10) and Texas (No. 24) in the men's race as well as No. 29 Texas on the women's side, the Wildcats built a ton of momentum in the early stages of each race to ignite one of the most memorable days in K-State Cross Country history.
"This has been one of the most enjoyable seasons I've ever had in coaching," said head coach Ryun Godfrey. "We have such a solid group of kids. They work hard and support one another!"
The Wildcat men matched their best finish in the Big 12 era with a fourth-place finish with 103 points, as all seven runners finished among the Top 35 entrants, including three (Cooper Schroeder, Kerby Depenbusch, Hadley Splechter) in the Top 20. The 103 points was the best total since the Wildcats collected 70 for a second-place finish at the 1992 Big Eight Championships.
A native of Manhattan, Kansas, Schroeder led the trio in the men's Top 20 with a 15th-place finish with a school record 8k time of 23:54.6 to grab the last spot on the men's All-Big 12 team ahead of teammate Depenbusch, who finished just 10 seconds behind in 16th place with a time of 24:04.5.
Schroeder become the first men's runner to earn all-conference honors since Mathew Chesang in 2004. His time broke that of former Wildcat runner Bryan Carroll, who posted an 8k time of 23:56.0 in 1985, as his 15th-place finish was the best by a men's runner since Chesang finished third 16 years ago.
"I've got so many emotions right now, I'm just really happy," said Schroeder on his all-time mark. "After I saw the results, I didn't know if it was real. I was super stoked and supe happy for my teammates."📣ALL-BIG 12 HONORS📣
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) October 30, 2020
Junior Cooper Schroeder jolted through Rim Rock Farm to clinch a spot on the All-Big 12 Conference Team, as he crossed the finish line at 23:54.6 to claim the 15th-overall spot!
His pace of 23:54.6 is now the fastest 8k time in SCHOOL HISTORY!😺#KStateXC pic.twitter.com/MFhQHtxUqe
The women's team locked up a fifth-place finish with 134 points – its best finish since a tie for fifth in 2013 – as five runners finished in the Top 40, including a pair in the Top 20 led by sophomore Jaybe Shufelberger's ninth-place finish with a time of 21:22.6. Shufelberger became the first Wildcat women's runner to collected All-Big 12 honors in consecutive seasons since Laura Galvan posted three honors in a row from 2012-14.
📣ALL-BIG 12 HONORS📣
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) October 30, 2020
For the second year in a row, #KStateXC's Jaybe Shufelberger delivered another All-Big 12 outing at the #Big12XC Championship!!
Her time of 21:22.6 vaulted her into 9th place, which marks her best performance at the conference meet😼😼 pic.twitter.com/9x5NPZ7WXi
"Today was a lot of fun," said Godfrey. "Both teams gave great effort! Jaybe (Shufelberger) had a great race and she put herself with the lead group from the start and ran tough throughout the race. Cooper (Schroeder) missed training time due to a hip injury, so I wasn't sure how this was going to go."
Schroeder and Depenbusch were joined in the Top 20 by Hadley Splechter (19th/24:09.5), while senior Noah Stevenson (26th/24:23.2) and junior Stephen Kielhofner (28th/24:31.4) both finished in the Top 30.
"Noah (Stevenson) did a great job shaking off any doubts he had from his last race," stated Godfrey. "I was really impressed with his commitment to go out with the lead pack. Extremely gutsy race! Hadley (Splechter) kept moving up as the race progressed and he did what we needed him to do. And Stephen (Kielhofner) has been a great addition to our team this season. I thought he also ran well today!"
The men's team was not done making noise in the middle of the pack, as sophomores Jack Thomas (33rd/24:50.9), David Lutgen (38th/25:05.4) and Jack Moore (43rd/25:14.7), and juniors Mike Rohlinger (44th/25:15.8) and Dylan Brennamen (45th/25:31.8) all finished among the Top 50.
Way to contend with the best!!!
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) October 30, 2020
The #KStateXC men's team navigated through Rim Rock Farm to record 103 points on the day, which boosted the group all the way to fourth overall in the 8k race!
This is the best finish at the #Big12XC Championship for the men's group since 2017!! pic.twitter.com/gzjsJ3rjJj
"As a team, our goal was top four," said Schroeder. I'm so proud of how our team competed today."
Running without his brother Jackson Schroeder for the first time at the conference championship, Schroeder elaborated on what it meant to race not just for himself, but for his brother as well.
"Jackson was a huge part of where I am today," stated Schroeder. "He's such a good role model that wants the best for me. When I have questions about running or racing, I go to him. Last year, he set the example of 'manning up' and competing with the best of the Big 12. I wish he was out there today, and I know he does too."
Shufelberger's Top 10 finish was the best by a women's runner since Galvan earned a sixth-place finish in 2013. She was joined in the Top 20 by junior Kassidy Johnson (20th/21:51.5), while sophomores Hannah Stewart (32nd/22:20.0) and Sydney Burton (36th/22:29.5), and freshman Emma Lucas (42nd/22:35.0) all fought their way towards top-50 outings.
"Kassidy (Johnson) moved up well during the race," said Godfrey. "Hannah (Stewart) and Sydney (Burton) ran very well. Emma (Lucas) didn't have her best race today, but she has a lot of great races left for her in the future."
After contemplating on how to approach the 6k race, Shufelberger decided to switch things up today in the biggest meet of the year.
"The race didn't go exactly how I hoped it would," said Shufelberger. "It went out pretty fast and I've been trying to go out conservative, but I knew If I wanted to place, I had to scratch that plan and just go with the pack. It was a great to have good competitors – some we've seen and some new ones – to help pull me through the race. I felt like I was battling with at least one other person the whole time, so they really helped me stay engaged.
"Being able to place for the second year in a row and then to take ninth is just amazing," said Shufelberger. "A goal I had was to place in the Top 10, so to be able to accomplish that is great."
A few other Wildcats chipped in during the 6k race to help K-State to its fifth-place finish, as sophomore Cailan Steward (53rd/23:19.1), junior Cara Melgares (58th/23:32.8), freshmen McKenna Polus (62nd/23:38.0) and Helen Giefer (71st/24:04.6), and sophomore Delaney Kemp (76th/24:32.3) kept the team in the top five with their performances in the second and third tiers of the race.Nothing can stop this team from a TOP-FIVE PERFORMANCE!!
— K-State Track (@KStateTFXC) October 30, 2020
The #KStateXC women's team flourished once again at Rim Rock Farm, as the Wildcats compiled 134 points to place fifth overall at #Big12XC Championship, the team's highest finish since 2001 at the conference meet!! pic.twitter.com/zMvSeyZTym
All 10 men's runners recorded 8k personal bests, while the women had five individuals collect new personal times (Burton, Lucas, Polus, Steward and Stewart).
The Iowa State women rebounded after slipping up in last year's conference championship, as the Cyclones pulled away with the victory with 39 points. Iowa State's Cailie Logue earned the top spot in the 6k race at a pace of 20:00.5, which now marks the third-consecutive year the Cyclone have won the conference title.
Oklahoma State edged out Iowa State for the crown due to a tiebreaker. Both teams scored 31 points, but the Cowboys edged out the Cyclones due to three of their runners finishing in the top five for the 8k run.
With the NCAA Cross Country Championships moved to the Spring 2021 slate, the Wildcats end their 2020 campaign with top-five finishes for each of the men's and women's teams.
"Kansas State distance is on the rise," Schroeder stated. "I'm going to remember this day for a long time. Go Cats!"
Men's Team Finishes: 1. Oklahoma State, 31 points*; 2. Iowa State, 31 points; 3. Texas, 84 points; 4. K-State, 103 points; 5. Kansas, 136 points; 6. Texas Tech, 187 points; 7. Baylor, 215 points; 8. Oklahoma, 230 points; 9. TCU, 265 points.
Men's Top-Five Individuals: 1. Wesley Kiptoo (ISU), 22:35.4; 2. Isai Rodriguez (OSU), 22:49.3; 3. Festus Lagat (ISU), 23:26.1; 4. Haftu Knight (Texas), 23:27.0; 5. Victor Shitsama (OSU), 23:27.1.
K-State Men's Finishes: 15. Cooper Schroeder, 23:54.6; 16. Kerby Depenbusch, 24:04.5; 19. Hadley Splechter, 24:09.5; 26. Noah Stevenson, 24:23.2; 28. Stephen Kielhofner, 24:31.4; 33. Jack Thomas, 24:50.9; 38. David Lutgen, 25:05.4; 43. Jack Moore, 25:14.7; 44. Mike Rohlinger, 25:15.8; 45. Dylan Brenneman, 25:31.8;
Women's Team Finishes: 1. Iowa State, 39 points; 2. Texas, 62 points; 3. West Virginia, 66 points; 4. Oklahoma State, 71 points; 5. K-State, 134 Points; 6. Baylor, 148 points; 7. Kansas, 190 points; 8. Texas Tech, 238 points; 9. Oklahoma, 257 points; 10. TCU, 312 points.
Women's Top-Five Finishes: 1. Cailie Logue (ISU), 20:00.5; 2. Taylor Roe (OSU), 20:07.8; 3. Gabby Hentemann (OSU), 20:48.4; 4. Ceili McCabe (WVU), 20:55.9; 5. Brenna Cohoon (ISU), 21:11.5.
K-State Women's Finishes: 9. Jaybe Shufelberger, 21:22.6; 20. Kassidy Johnson, 21:51.5; 32. Hannah Stewart, 22:20.0; 36. Sydney Burton, 22:29.5; 42. Emma Lucas; 2235.0; 53. Cailan Steward, 23:19.1; 58. Cara Melgares, 23:32.8; 62. McKenna Polus, 23:38.0; 71. Helen Giefer, 24:04.6; 76. Delaney Kemp, 24:32.6
For the latest on K-State cross country follow @kstatesports and @KStateTFXC on Twitter or Kansas State Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.
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