Jonel Rossbach’s goals haven’t changed in the last two months, and they certainly haven’t changed with the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships just a day away.
“This whole season, it’s been about trying to win a national title,” the Emporia State senior said. “It’s one thing I haven’t gotten in all my years, so it’s something I’m gunning for.”
Rossbach’s confidence isn’t a false one, either. The long-distance runner comes in with the nation’s best time in the 5,000-meter run.
Rossbach still knows it won’t be easy, especially with Winrose Karunde sure to be near the front.
The Abilene Christian freshman edged out Rossbach by a half-second at the cross country Regionals, then also beat her two weeks later at Nationals.
“She’s definitely someone, I think, that will be looking out for me, and I’ll be looking out for her,” Rossbach said.
But, Rossbach believes she is a better track runner than cross country runner.
Rossbach also will only be running the 5,000-meter, focusing all her energy and attention on the event.
Meanwhile, Karunde will run both the distance medley relay and also the mile before competing in the 5K.
“We’re going to make it a race,” Rossbach said.
Seven other ESU athletes will compete at Nationals on Friday and Saturday in Mankato, Minn.
Freshman Kenton Lonberger will compete in two events, as he is ranked fourth in the 200-meter run and 10th in the 60.
“I’m just going to have to go out there and run my race,” Lonberger said of the 200, “and keep that swagger and keep that confidence going into it.”
ESU will be well-represented in the men’s high jump, as three Hornets will be participating.
Craig Saalfeld is ranked second, Dustin Andrews third and Alex Pyle fourth entering this weekend’s competition.
“It’s fun having other people push you,” Saalfeld said. “We’re all pretty competitive.”
The only other men’s athlete making the trip will be Josh Honeycutt, who will take part in the triple jump.
The freshman is ranked eighth going in, with the top eight this weekend earning All-American status. “If I just do what I did last meet, I should place pretty high, but you never know,” Honeycutt said. “Anybody can pop off a big jump any day.”
Brooke Kent is the only ESU woman that will compete in multiple events, as she is ranked sixth in the long jump and 18th in the 60-meter run.
Jennifer Robinson, who is ranked sixth in the high jump, is ESU’s final competitor at the national meet.