Jonel Rossbach has one race left in her storied cross country career at Emporia State, and she’s going to do everything in her power to make it her best run ever.
“I know for sure I want to be in the top five, and anybody in the top five has a chance to win it,” Rossbach said. “If I have to run the race of my life, I’ll do it. I have a shot, so I’m going to go after it.”
A National Championship might be a lofty goal, but ESU coach Dave Harris said nothing is out of the question when it comes to Rossbach.
He’s watched for four years as Rossbach has developed from an average runner her freshman year to a two-time conference champion and 2006 All-American.
“The career is the best that I’ve ever coached here,” Harris said.
Rossbach took 17th at Nationals a year ago, but she has improved her time by more than nine seconds since then.
After pushing herself in workouts over the last two weeks, the senior believes she might be able to go even harder.
“Now I’m going to put it all on the line,” Rossbach said. “I would love to win a National Championship.”
One runner Rossbach knows she will have to go up against is Abilene Christian’s Winrose Karunde.
The Abilene Christian freshman edged out Rossbach at the Regional meet two weeks ago, beating her by less than a second.
“I think she’s somebody that’s going to go out and try to win it right from the start. She’s definitely someone I’m gunning for,” Rossbach said. “I kind of want to redeem myself. Losing by half a second is kind of a bittersweet thing.”
Rossbach said she had talked strategy with Harris for this meet more than any other.
The gameplan, however, remains simple enough. Rossbach will try to hang with the top runners, then adjust along with them during the race.
“If you’re in the top five, you’re looking at the leader,” Harris said. “You’ve got the people around that could potentially win the race, and you’re running in the right group to win the race.
“If it presents itself that you make that big move at the end that could put yourself in the lead, then that’s what she’s ready to do.”
Rossbach said her final cross country race was sure to be emotional.
She just hoped it would be successful as well.
“It will be kind of sad,” Rossbach said, “but if I end on a good note, I’ll be happy with it.”