Depth key as men's cross country team positions for Big 10 title run

Cross country coaches routinely stress that a team is only as strong as its fifth man. With the depth sophomore Kurtis George provides, the Hoosiers are positioning themselves for a Big Ten title run. In the early part of the season, the team has used a strong pack to lead them to commanding victories. George made his presence felt in the pack.\n"Kurtis' main role on the team is to help push the middle pack runners and eventually be a front runner," sophomore Tom Burns said.\nIn the team's last race, George helped the pack and earned a sixteenth place finish in the eight kilometer race. Coach Robert Chapman said he expects George to improve and consistently finish in the top seven for the team. He spent all of last season in the top seven, placing as high as 4th on the team.\n"Ideally, Kurtis' role would be to solidify our top five, as he did for a good chunk of last season," Chapman said. "He's a little short right now, but I think he can be there in the end."\nGeorge has shown solid flashes of potential. As a harrier in high school, he earned all state honors for three years, including a third place finish as a junior. He also earned a third place finish in the two mile for track.\n"He has the talent to be one of the best in the country," Burns said. "He just has to get that in his head, and he will excel."\nIf George can make that breakthrough, the Hoosiers would receive a much needed lift. Chapman said the team has three solid front runners in freshmen John and Sean Jefferson and junior Bart Phariss. If George can earn All-American honors, the team would have one of the strongest groups in the nation.\n"Coach has said and I feel that I can be a major factor in this team's success this year," George said.\nIn addition to the depth he brings to the team, George's quiet leadership has also been beneficial.\n"Kurtis is not a vocal leader," Chapman said. "He talks with his feet."\nFor a team dominated by underclassmen, this type of leadership is an important trait for a young runner to have, Burns said.\n"Kurtis has affected my running career by being one of the best runners in practice," Burns said, "Everyone knows that Kurtis will show up in a workout to help the team"