The Sandburg men’s and women’s cross country teams hope to continue their run of success under a new coach.

 

The Chargers, led by Kim Schrader, will start their seasons at the Sauk Valley Early Season Opener at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Schrader was named the teams’ coach earlier this month following the July 2 passing of Rodney Blue, who’d led the Sandburg cross country program since 2015. Under Blue, the Chargers won five Region 4 championships and sent a team or individual to the NJCAA national meet in eight seasons.

 

“What I’ve said to the team is that we want to honor Coach Blue’s legacy by taking what he'd built into something great and making it even better,” Schrader said.

 

KEY RETURNERS

Men

Meshack Kimutai, sophomore

• Finished 144th at the NJCAA Division II Cross Country Championship and 14th in Region 4 last season, earning all-region honors.

Titus Kimutai, sophomore

• Placed 195th at nationals and 17th in Region 4 as a freshman.

Women

Sharon Yego, sophomore

• Placed 28th at the national meet last year.

• Won the Region 4 title, joining Nancy Jebet (2018) as the only Chargers women’s runners to take home the individual region crown.

Damaris Kimaiyo, sophomore

• Finished one spot behind Yego at the Region 4 and national meets during her freshman campaign, placing second and 29th, respectively.

 

KEY NEWCOMERS
Men

• Matthew Kiplagat, freshman
• Mathias Kigen, freshman

Women

• Joan Jepngetich, sophomore
• Marrion Jepchumba Kemboi, freshman

 

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS SEASON?

Schrader: “I think the sky’s the limit for this group. This team is comprised of bright and talented runners who are passionate about their performance and working hard every day to improve.”

 

MEET TO WATCH

Bradley Intercollegiate, Sept. 20 at Detweiller Park in Peoria

Schrader: “Detweiller is a flat and fast course, and it’s a favorite with the runners.”

 

THIS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF …

Schrader: “This will be a successful season if we take the men’s and women’s teams to the national championships and finish in the top 20 in the country.”

 

COACH RODNEY BLUE CHARITABLE RUN

Though not a part of the Chargers’ cross country schedule, Sandburg will host the Coach Rodney Blue Charitable Run at 8 a.m. Sept. 14 at the college. Runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels are invited to register by Sept. 6 for this non-competitive event. Registration is $30 (free for Sandburg students) and includes a commemorative T-shirt. Money raised will go toward the Coach Rodney Blue Cross Country Team Fund. For those who don’t want to participate in the run/walk but would still like to support the fund, donations can be made through the Sandburg Foundation.