Freshman runner gets chance to prove worth

This weekend, the men's cross country team competed in the Big Ten Championships in Illinois and finished fourth. One reason the team was able to place in the top five was the effort put forth by freshman Kurtis George. \nLast year, George did not run because coach Robert Chapman was looking toward the future. George did not run because last year's team was so deep. With another year of eligibility, George will be able to help the Hoosiers compete among the top teams in the nation in upcoming seasons. \nHaving red-shirted last season, George is now making an impact for the team. He has steadily risen to the top of the Hoosiers scoring. In the first meet of the season, he finished sixth at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota. \nAt the Notre Dame invitational, George also finished sixth. At Pre-Nationals in the open race, George's time was right behind the fifth man for the Hoosiers, and at the Big Ten Championships he finished 28th overall and fourth on the team. His finish enabled IU to hold off Ohio State by nine points. \nHe is getting stronger and stronger every week. That is a real big positive for the team heading into district and nationals," sophomore Nathan Purcell said.\nOne factor in George's improvement is the training during the summer with junior Chad Andrews. Not only are they training partners, but they are also cousins who live a few miles apart. In training, George and Andrews have been able to push each other. \n"He has been my training partner over the summers," Andrews said. "I have run with him so long that I could tell he gained confidence, and now he is ready to roll."\nIn high school, the cousins always competed against each other, because they attended different schools. In races, they dominated the rest of the competition. Now the tandem is competing together and helping the Hoosiers stay in the top half of the conference with their fourth place finish in the Big Ten Championship.\n"We always wanted to be on the same team," George said. "It was a good feeling to be near Chad in the race. It was just like old times." \nThe front of the pack is where both Hoosiers said George should be.\n"Practices have shown that I should be up there," George said. "Everything was clicking for me and I felt comfortable."\n"He has come on strong recently and could run with our top three," Andrews said.\nGeorge said he plans to continue to improve upon his success in the 2001 season and have a solid track season. In indoor track, George will most likely run the 3,000 meters, and in outdoor track he will run the 5K. After the track season is over, George wants to put in the work to be better for the team.\n"This summer I am going to put the miles in so that I can be strong as hell next season," he said.