Emporia State’s Jonel Rossbach has envisioned the end of this year’s South Central Regional.
She can see it in her mind already. There she is, crossing the finish line with a top-five finish, exhausted as she has ever been, but knowing she has made it to the National meet.
“It’s going to be the best feeling in the world,” Rossbach said.
If all goes according to plan, that is.
ESU’s men’s and women’s cross country teams will both participate in the Division II South Central Regional Cross Country Championships this Saturday in Warrensburg, Mo. The men’s race is set for 10 a.m. and the women’s is planned for 11:15.
The Hornet runner with the best shot at the National meet is Rossbach. Two weeks ago, she ran her best 6K ever, recording a 21:28.99 to take the MIAA Championship by 21 seconds.
The junior knows her effort will have to be just as strong to earn a top-five finish and automatic berth into the NCAA National Championships in Pensacola, Fla.
“I’ve had good training. I’ve had a good season,” Rossbach said. “I just want it all to come together this Saturday.”
Rossbach could, in fact, sneak into Nationals without finishing in the top five.
The NCAA takes the top two individuals from non-qualifying teams to Nationals in addition to all runners who finish in the top five places.
“I’m going to try really hard to stay in the top five and see if I can’t just guarantee my spot there,” Rossbach said. “I just want to run a good race — my best race yet this year.”
Rossbach finished 17th at the meet a year ago, two places away from making the All-Regional team.
ESU coach Dave Harris said he had confidence in Rossbach’s ability to perform well with the pressure.
“She’s got a good head on her shoulders right now and good confidence that she can go do this,” Harris said. “I really feel good about that.”
From a team standpoint, Harris is hoping to see both his men’s and women’s squads finish on a positive note before preparing for track season.
The women placed sixth at the MIAA Championships, while the men finished in eighth.
“I think we’re looking to culminate our season with a good race,” Harris said. “We need a confidence-building race with the men so we can finish this season and already start looking forward to next year.”
Freshman Skyler Delmott has been the top finisher for the men in every race this season.