Kigen Prepares for 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championships
11/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
Nov. 19, 2010
FORT WORTH, Texas - TCU senior Festus Kigen took time from his training to discuss his 2010 cross country season and his feelings heading into the 2010 NCAA Championships Monday in Terre Haute, Ind.
The South Central Region Men's Athlete of the Year became the first male in TCU history to win a regional title, breaking the tape with the time of 30:11.1, and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA meet.
How has this cross country season been for you?
"Well, I didn't do a whole lot of work this summer, so I started the season a little out of shape. I was a little worried that I might have a hard time getting in shape, but I kept encouraging myself to apply myself and get to where I needed to be at this point in the season. This is the time that I wanted to peak."
How did you feel heading into the South Central Regional Championships?
"I felt pretty comfortable going into the race. I knew I was in shape. I didn't know exactly what position I was going to be in, but I felt pretty confident I would do well."
You took the lead at the end of the race, was that your strategy from the beginning?
"Well, I don't really plan that stuff before I race. It just depends on how I start and how I'm feeling during the race. Towards the end I was feeling pretty good, but I didn't know I was going to win. With about 200 meters left, I could hear Coach (Shawn) Winget telling me that I was in good position and I started sprinting. Before I knew it, I was in first at the finish line."
These races are long, what do you think about when you're out there?
"Being in the lead really helps me focus. It's a little more difficult, if I start falling back, so I like staying in the lead so I can keep my mental focus."
This is going to be your last cross-country race; has it been a good career?
"Definitely. When I first came here, I only had one year of running experience. I was new to everything and I wasn't even really sure what cross country was. I look back and realize how much progress I've made over the past four years."
While you've still got track and field season in the spring, what are your plans when you are done at TCU?
"Well, my brother does a lot of road racing, so it would be nice to join him someday. I could see myself running big races like that in the future."
Are you confident about Monday?
"Yeah, I'm pretty confident. I know I'm in shape, so I think I will do well. I'll do my best and we'll see what happens."
Indiana State will host the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships on Monday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Course located at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center in Terre Haute, Ind. The women's race will begin at approximately 11:08 p.m. CT, followed by the men's race at approximately 11:48 p.m.
A live webcast of the championships will be broadcast from Noon to 12:30 p.m. CT, Monday, November 22, on NCAA.com. In addition, highlights from the championships will be included as part of the CBS NCAA Fall Seasonal Show scheduled to air on Saturday, December 18 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. CT on CBS HD.
Players Mentioned
