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By Chad Hensley, NKU Sports Information HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Going into last season, Northern Kentucky University cross country coach Steve Kruse knew that a strong schedule, which included races against many Division I schools, would pay off by the end of the fall. Kruse’s decision to compete against a strong schedule did in fact pay off for the men’s team as the Norse shocked many in the NCAA Division II ranks by placing 4th in the Great Lakes Region meet. With the accomplishment of making the Division II nationals in Pensacola, Fla., the Norse garnered a 20th place ranking in the NCAA Division II poll. It was the first time since 1979 that an NKU men’s cross country team had received the honor, which was also the last year the Norse had made the nationals. Now, as the 2007 season approaches, Kruse has once again peppered the schedule with strong competition in hopes that it will help not only the men’s team but the women’s team as well. “All returning athletes are stronger than last year and know what it takes to succeed. Our top athletes know that they can run with any Division II team in the nation and do well, men and women alike,” said Kruse, who was named the Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year for leading the team to nationals and is entering his 14th season at the helm of the Norse. “Our schedule is set up to challenge us all season, and we actually face more Division I competition than anyone else. This will help prepare us for our Division II campaign at the end of the season.” MEN After completing the 2006 season in historic fashion, Kruse knows that it will be difficult for the Norse to play the sleeper role in the GLVC and the Great Lakes Region. “It will be very hard to sneak up and surprise anyone this season based on last fall," Kruse said. "In fact, if anything at all, we’ll have a target on our backs the entire season.”
With five freshmen added to a roster that includes all of the top runners from last year, Kruse will be looking to team captains Keith Knapp and Zach Koehler to lead the Norse this year. Knapp, a graduate of Lloyd High School, will be back for his fourth and final season with the Norse. His work ethic will be a key factor in not only his individual success, but the team’s as well. “Keith is hands down the best all-around athlete on the team. Keith works very hard on keeping in shape and is multi-talented. His efforts during the off-season will payback big time this season. He is one of the driving forces of the team,” Kruse said. Koehler, who was most valuable runner last season, was frequently in the lead pack of nearly every race NKU entered. Koehler, a junior and native of Union, Ky., and graduate of Ryle High School, will also lead by example in the classroom as he was an Academic All-American last season. Kruse also returns seniors Brad Bullock, Greg Lemmon and captain Adam Stoppelwerth, as well as Jason Jones and Matt Shoulta. Bullock, a Winton Woods graduate, is the only returning member of the team who was an All-GLVC runner in 2006. He was the first Norse runner to accomplish the feat since Brian Flaherty did so in 1994. Lemmon is the team’s best student in the classroom and is also one of those quiet leaders. Kruse talks about Lemmon as being “an extremely dedicated senior who is a quiet guy who leads by example.” After completing the spring track season ranked as the No. 11 steeplechase runner in the country, Stoppelwerth is ready to close out his time with the Norse in a big way. A graduate of Dixie Heights High School, Stoppelwerth is expected be another leader for the Norse. Jones, a junior from Newtonsville, Ohio, is a hard-working junior that is still fighting for a spot on the varsity squad. Shoulta, a two-time KHSAA Class A state champion from Paducah Saint Mary High School, will be looked upon to be one of the top runners for the Norse this season. Shoulta won the Norse Cross Country Classic last year by narrowly defeating Koehler for the title. NKU went on to win the event with a perfect score of 15 by claiming the top five slots.
Along with the returnees, Kruse welcomes in a talented group of freshmen that includes Ryne Smith, Drew Harris, Eric Dwyer, Paul Ferguson, and Hunter Durden. “Smith was a highly sought after recruit by many Division I schools who has found a home here at NKU," Kruse said. "Harris is expected to be a varsity runner as a freshman, which is not an easy thing to do on a national caliber team. Dwyer was an All-State runner at St. Henry and helped the Crusaders win multiple state titles during his time there. Ferguson and Durden will round out the squad.” NKU is now the target for many teams, and it’s a welcome change for Kruse, “We were barely ranked in the top 10 of our region (last year) and we finished fourth. The competition was stunned but we were not. Some teams will be training all season for their one shot at us at the regional race. We’ll be ready for it.” WOMEN After watching the men gain so much attention for their performance last fall, the NKU women are seeking the same results in 2007. NKU returns six of its top seven runners and is backed by a strong sophomore class. Although their results may not have equaled the men, Kruse said, “The women’s goals in 2006 were virtually identical to the men’s goals. They are not that different this year and if they can believe in themselves and push each other in practice and races, they can certainly achieve those goals.”
Julianne Hoekzema is NKU’s top returning runner. As talented as she is on the course, she is just as talented in the classroom and truly epitomizes the term “student-athlete.” The senior from Fairfield, Ohio, and Badin High School is a two-time All-GLVC runner in cross country as well as a two-time Academic All-American. Kruse has high praise for Hoekzema, “Julianne is the best female runner I’ve ever coached. She improves drastically every year, and I expect the trend to continue in 2007-08. Our team captain, Julianne leads by showing the others how it’s done. She can run with anyone in our region, which puts her among the nation’s elite.” Kruse also looks to his talented list of sophomores to lead the way, “Jenna (Siemer) and Alisha (Hansman) will work together to assure this team does not fall behind in the GLVC. Jenna seeks to bring the Norse to the amazing success level she attained while at St. Henry with two individual state titles as well as three team titles. Alisha may surprise some people this year. She trains well and could challenge for a spot on the All-GLVC team this year.” Janice Laker, a sophomore from Batesville, Ind., will be looked upon to bring her strong work ethic to each and every race. “She’s all business during a race and has potential beyond her knowledge,” Kruse said. Junior Rose Morgan and sophomore Ariana Reid look to be much improved this year. “Rose has worked hard to improve and put a disappointing 2006 season behind her,” Kruse said. “She was voted team captain because of her dedication and desire for the team to do its very best. Look for her to be one of our most improved by season’s end. “Ariana was able to gain some valuable experience which should help her overcome a shaky freshman year. She should be much more of a factor on this team throughout the year.” Others that Kruse thinks will challenge for a spot on the varsity are Kira Cooper and Samantha Geiger. Cooper, a graduate of Lloyd, held claim to the 6th runner spot on the team last year and is expected to challenge for that same slot. Geiger, a senior from Southgate, Ky., and is looking to close out her Norse career by maintaining the hold she has on her varsity spot. The only newcomers to the squad this year are Chelsea Cantrell and Ashley Jones. Cantrell is a freshman who ran cross country while she attended Walton-Verona High School. Jones is a junior transfer from Georgetown College who hasn’t ran in a while, but Kruse thinks her potential will bloom as the season progresses. With an experienced squad returning from last season and difficult schedule in place, Kruse said his team is ready. “This team has the makings of a winning caliber team for not only this year, but for many to come,” he said.
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