FHSU Athletics

The Fort Hays State men’s cross country team was picked fourth in the 2015 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Thursday. Coaches across the conference agree that the Tigers should improve on their seventh-place finish at the MIAA Championships in 2014. Even one coach in the conference voted FHSU as the favorite. 

Fort Hays State returns their top two runners, Cory Keehn and Jonny Berntansky, who redshirted in 2014. With both fully healthy and a solid group of returners from last year, the Tigers are primed to make plenty of noise at the MIAA Championships this year. Keehn and Bernasky were both All-MIAA performers in 2013 and Keehn was the MIAA Champion individually in 2012. 

Add in 2014 All-MIAA performer Isaac Williams and Colby (Kan.) Community College transfer Micheal Kinuthia, the Tigers will have several strong runners up front. Kinuthia transferred to FHSU from Colby Community College for the Spring 2015 semester, but he ran cross country at Colby last year and won the Region 6 and KJCCC individual championship. He then earned All-American honors by finishing eighth overall at the NJCAA Championships. Kinuthia was an All-MIAA performer in track and field for the Tigers this past spring.

Troy Wineiger had a breakout season for the Tigers last year, nearly grabbing All-MIAA honors by finishing 23rd at the conference championship in 2014. Ryan Hopkins, Seth Parres and Brock Elgin also had great seasons, contributing to the team scoring on a regular basis. 

If this year’s team stays healthy, head coach Jason McCullough feels they can compete for a conference championship. The Tiger men won the MIAA Championship in 2012. 

The Tigers host the FHSU Alumni Run at the Sand Plum Nature Trail, just outside the west edge of Victoria, Kan., on Saturday, August 29 at 9:30 am. Bethany College will be coming to compete with the Tigers in the exhibition event.

2015 MIAA Preseason Men’s Coaches Poll
1. Nebraska-Kearney (6)    58
2. Pittsburg State                52
3. Missouri Southern (1)     47
4. Fort Hays State (1)         45
5. Northwest Missouri         37
6. Central Missouri             36
7. Southwest Baptist          28
8. Lindenwood                   12
9. Emporia State                11

FHSU women tabbed 4th

The Fort Hays State women’s cross country team was picked fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Thursday.

The Tigers finished fourth at the MIAA Championships last season under head coach Jason McCullough, who believes a top-three finish is attainable this year.

Two returning runners, Chelsea Jackson and Micki Krzesinski, received All-MIAA honors last season and are looking for solid performances again in 2015. Amanda Morgan came on strong at the end of the season and nearly grabbed all-conference status as well. Shea Bonine and Jordan Schulte also return to the team this year. McCullough expects several newcomers to compete and possibly have an immediate impact on the team scoring.

The Tigers host the FHSU Alumni Run at the Sand Plum Nature Trail, just outside the west edge of Victoria, Kan., on Saturday, August 29 at 9:30 am. Bethany College will be coming to compete with the Tigers in the exhibition event.

2015 MIAA Preseason Women’s Coaches Poll
T1. Missouri Southern (6)     94
T1. Southwest Baptist (5)     94
3. Pittsburg State                  79
4. Fort Hays State                 73
5. Northwest Missouri           60
6. Nebraska-Kearney            54
7. Central Oklahoma             48
8. Central Missouri                44
9. Lincoln                              22
10. Emporia State                21
11. Lindenwood                    16