Burns keys team success

One of the key ingredients for a successful cross country team is at least one runner the coach can count on for a solid performance every race. Head coach Robert Chapman said sophomore Thomas Burns fills that role for the Hoosiers. Last year, Burns made his presence felt after redshirting as a freshman. He was in the team's top five in each of his five races last season. He also had an impressive track season for which he was named Academic All-American this spring. Burns said he expects similar results this season. "I see my role very similar to last year," Burns said, "I'm a very consistent racer, and my role is as our three, four or five guy."

So far this season, the No. 23 Hoosiers have relied heavily on young runners as freshmen John and Sean Jefferson and sophomore Bart Phariss all finished in the top five of the Indiana Open. Burns helps bridge the gap between those upstart freshmen and sophomores and some of the later finishing harriers of the team. "We have the firepower up front with (redshirt freshmen) Sean and John (Jefferson), and my job is to bridge the gap," Burns said. Burns routinely provides that bridge. The team's greatest strength is it's depth, and Burns is a major reason for that depth. "He came in and has been living and breathing running for two years," sophomore Kurtis George said. "He knows what it takes to become a good runner." As a prep cross country runner, Burns was all-state his senior year, but the highlight of his prep running career came in track when he placed fourth in the mile. Burns will continue his work this afternoon at the IU Cross Country Course where the 64th annual Indiana Intercollegiate meet will be held. The event showcases teams from every university and college in the state. "I asked a lot from Tom last year, knowing that even as a freshman, he could be a force for us," coach Robert Chapman said. "This season, he knows he has to run with the big dogs." It is a meet in which all the colleges in Indiana race for local bragging rights. "We're taking each race one meet at a time," Burns said. "But our mileage is still pretty high and we're kind of training through it." Big meet or not, Chapman said he expects a solid performance from Burns. He seems to get one every time.